Sandwell Council has announced the sale of the Grafton Lodge site for the creation of much needed housing.
In June 2022, Sandwell Council decided that Grafton Lodge, Grafton Road, Oldbury, an empty, former Adult Services led care home was surplus to all council use. Following due diligence and open market advertising, the council can confirm that the sale of the site to Keon Homes was completed at the end of May.
One of the Midlands leading developers of affordable housing, the company will build 18, two and three-bed homes on the site – bringing a disused piece of land back to life.
Keon Homes is renewing its working relationship with Citizen Housing on this scheme. It is expected that work on the site will commence in late Summer/early Autumn, with the focus being on creating houses with a high Energy Efficiency Rating and will be surrounded by landscaped gardens that will encourage communities to thrive.
This will be the third time Keon Homes has worked with Sandwell Council, with 36 homes already completed at Woods Lane in Cradley Heath, and with initial foundation works commencing, with a view to a further 34 social housing properties being constructed at Friar Park in Wednesbury.
Councillor Peter Hughes, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Infrastructure, said:
“Regenerating under-used sites such as this to create much-needed housing for local families is a key part of the council’s plan to regenerate the borough. With a total investment budget of £3bn, our borough-wide investment strategy will see over 5,000 new homes built and 15,000 new jobs created.”
Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, was pleased that the deal has been completed and vital new housing for local people can get underway:
“Grafton Lodge is the perfect example of what can be achieved when a proactive local authority, a strategic housing association - backed by Homes England funding - work together with a developer to bring an important piece of land back to life.
“Together, we have shaped a solution that will create 18 new homes that are vitally needed in Sandwell. But this is much more than about bricks and mortar. These aren’t just properties that we are building, they are opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy a brighter future in the area.”
Jon Wood, Citizen Housing Group commented:
“Citizen is delighted to be working in partnership with Sandwell Council, Homes England, and with the expertise of Keon Homes to bring forward 18 high quality affordable homes at Grafton Lodge.
“The homes will provide long-term security for families and individuals currently on the housing waiting list. Designed with sustainability and community in mind, they will all be built to high standards of energy efficiency, security and accessibility.”