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#EnvironmentalImprovementPlanProgress
thxnews · 6 months
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Empowering Dreams: Levelling Up Home Building
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The Levelling Up Home Building Fund is designed for housebuilders based in England, that are struggling to access finance from traditional lenders. Loans can be tailored to your individual circumstances and can be used to meet the development costs of building homes for sale or rent. Financing is also available to support community-led housing projects, serviced plots for custom and self-builders, off-site manufacturing, new entrants to the market, and groups of small firms working in consortia to deliver larger sites. Our flexible approach, along with our in-depth knowledge of the housing sector, makes us uniquely placed to support businesses of all sizes to deliver new homes. The Levelling Up Home Building Fund can help if you: - are a UK-registered corporate entity or limited liability partnership - plan to build five or more homes on a site in England - have a controlling interest in the land, with outline planning permission in place More information about the fund can be found on our guidance page, and you can also arrange a call with one of our regional specialists by: - calling 0300 1234 500 - emailing [email protected] - completing a short online form  
Read about some of the schemes we’ve supported
How a £1.5 million development loan from Homes England helped a regional housebuilder deliver an outstanding Waterfront scheme.  
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V A Homes Yorkshire Ltd., Waterside, Knaresborough. Photo by Homes England.   Developer: V & A Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd Scheme: Waterside, Knaresborough V&A Homes is a family-run SME developer based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Waterside, a stunning nine-home scheme overlooking the River Nidd, was their second Homes England-supported development. The brownfield site, a former abattoir, is located on a steep waterside location which required complex groundworks to complete the build. Homes England worked closely with the team at all stages to provide both financial and specialist support. Today all three three townhouses and six semi-detached homes are occupied, with residents benefitting from spectacular views and outstanding design. Following the success of Waterside, V&A Homes is now completing a scheme of homes opposite Thirsk Racecourse and is working on their next scheme which will deliver 60 new homes in Sharow near Ripon. Victoria Denman, Managing Director of V&A Homes said: We first worked with Homes England after agreeing a land deal to bring our first development to market. From the outset I found the experience of working with the team extremely supportive. I was guided with care and consideration through the process and given reassurance at all stages. We are now working on a scheme which will deliver 60 homes - our biggest project to date. We wouldn’t have grown as we have without the great partnership we have developed with the agency.   How the Levelling Up Home Building fund enabled a first-time SME developer to achieve their development ambitions
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  Developer: Windyridge Property Investments Scheme: Sienna Way, West Bromwich In March 2022 Homes England supported Windyridge Property Investments, a new developer, with a £1.4m development loan to deliver Sienna Way, a scheme comprising of 9 homes based in West Bromwich. As a first-time developer, Windyridge had experienced numerous funding barriers before receiving support from the Levelling Up Home Building Fund. Funding was legally contracted in 54 days from credit approval, demonstrating Homes England’s ability to provide SMEs access to much-needed funding at pace. Our regional team worked closely with the developer to design a flexible funding structure that incorporated possible delays in build completions and generous timeframes to sell the homes. Completed in July 2023, Sienna Way meets the latest energy efficiency standards and provides a high-quality living environment for first-time buyers, key workers, and young families. Features include private courtyards, electric car charging points & underfloor heating. The scheme uses locally sourced, sustainable products, minimising waste in the construction process. Jatinder Singh Gakhal, Managing Director, Windyridge, said: As a new SME housing developer, we found securing development funding particularly challenging given the macro-economic factors affecting the construction industry. However, thanks to the team from Homes England, who provided exceptional support and guidance throughout the application process, we swiftly secured a development loan to fully fund our scheme. We look forward to delivering our first sustainable housing development to meet the needs of the local community in the Black Country and strongly recommend SMEs consider Homes England funding to help unlock their future development sites.   How a £4.5 million loan helped a Birmingham-based SME developer deliver 72 high-quality independent-living apartments
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  Developer: Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association Ltd (MBTHA) Scheme: The Shires, Birmingham In 2021, Homes England supported the Michael Blanning Trust Housing Association (MBTHA) Ltd, an established SME retirement home operator, in the delivery of a new purpose-built retirement village near Birmingham. MBTHA had already secured funding with Barclays but required additional financial support in response to market challenges. The flexibility of the development finance Homes England offers meant that we were able to work in partnership with Barclays to provide mezzanine funding to unlock the potential of this outstanding scheme. Today the scheme has achieved practical completion and is now in the sales stage. With its contemporary design, exceptional build quality, and emphasis on green communal spaces, The Shires aims to transform the lives of residents by building a sense of community and providing a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere. Rob Kennedy, Co-Chair of MBTHA said: The need for exceptional accommodation for senior independent living has never been greater and our scheme in Moseley answers this. The project was many years in the making, with many challenges along the way and we are grateful for the shared vision and support of our funding partners, Barclays and Homes England, to enable the scheme to come to life.   Sources: THX News & Homes England. Read the full article
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thxnews · 6 months
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Green Revolution: England's Nature Recovery Initiatives
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  Natural England Campaign
In a significant move towards nature recovery, Natural England has embarked on the journey to designate England's newest National Park, the first in a decade. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for Protected Landscapes, aligning with the government's commitment to sustainable development and increased access to the natural world.  
Nature's Acceleration - Landscape Recovery Projects and Protected Landscapes
As part of a comprehensive package unveiled on November 29, the government is taking decisive steps to enhance access to green spaces, launch Landscape Recovery projects for sustainable food production and nature recovery, and initiate the creation of Protected Landscapes for future generations.   Building Partnerships for Nature Recovery The government's response to the Landscapes Review includes the establishment of a Protected Landscapes partnership, a collaborative effort to drive nature recovery and address climate change. Natural England, a key player in this initiative, will contribute to the creation of resilient landscapes that benefit both people and nature. Natural England, in considering the natural beauty of landscapes, opportunities for quiet enjoyment, and environmental and community needs, will identify the ideal area for the new National Park. This groundbreaking endeavor aims to facilitate nature recovery while providing ample green space access for the public.  
The Significance of England's 11th National Park
With 10 existing National Parks and 34 National Landscapes covering nearly 25% of England, the anticipated 11th National Park will focus on accelerating nature protection and enhancing public access, particularly for those currently lacking good access to nature and green spaces. England's Protected Landscapes, renowned for their iconic beauty, play a crucial role in supporting the nation's health and well-being. They are integral to fulfilling commitments to tackle climate change and restore nature, including the target to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England, emphasized the importance of well-connected and wildlife-rich habitats, aligning with nature recovery ambitions. As COP28 approaches, the measures announced are seen as a positive step forward, reflecting the deep connection between nature and climate change.  
Supporting Sustainable Land Management
Landscape Recovery Schemes In a parallel move, the government has confirmed new funding for the second round of Landscape Recovery schemes. These schemes support farmers in managing their land sustainably, with approximately £25 million in project development funding available. Natural England and the Environment Agency lead this initiative, providing support for over 200,000 hectares of land for nature and sustainable food production.   Legal Steps for a 'Nature Positive' Future To enforce the commitment to make new developments 'nature positive,' the government will introduce two statutory instruments and issue new guidance for developers and landowners. These measures mark a significant stride towards achieving a 10% net gain for nature, ensuring that developments accelerate nature recovery and provide enhanced green spaces for communities.  
Progressing Towards Environmental Goals
This comprehensive package of measures signifies progress towards the government's commitment to halt the decline in wildlife populations and increase species abundance by 2030, as outlined in the Environmental Improvement Plan. As the UK embraces this green revolution, the promise of a nature-positive future is becoming a tangible reality.   Sources: THX News & Natural England. Read the full article
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