Keepmoat strikes deal to deliver 4,000 new homes in West Midlands

Keepmoat has become a strategic partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) which will see it build 4,000 new homes in the region by 2031.
Under the agreement, Keepmoat will build a mix of homes with a range of tenure arrangements across the West Midlands, doubling its output in the region while committing to net zero carbon emissions on any brownfield site development.
The partnership will also provide a boost to local employment opportunities, with a minimum of 70% of the workforce needed to deliver the homes being employed from within a 30-mile radius. Materials will also be purchased locally from West Midlands-based businesses when possible.
Charlotte Goode, divisional chair for Keepmoat West Midlands & East Midlands, said: “We are delighted that we have been named as a strategic partner of the WMCA and that our work in the region continues to go from strength to strength. As part of our development work with WMCA, we’re already building a minimum of 1,000 new homes at price points that are accessible to people including first-time buyers.”
“Working as a strategic partner of WMCA, we are actively pursuing net zero carbon developments, with schemes incorporating climate adaptation measures that respond to the short and long-term impact of climate change. These zero carbon standards go above and beyond the 2025 Future Homes Standards and help contribute to WM2041.”
Earlier this year, WMCA agreed a ‘Deeper Devolution Deal’ with the government, which afforded it additional powers, as well as extra funding of over £1.5billion as part of a plan to level up the region.
Keepmoat has already benefitted from this additional funding, with the £360million Spirit Quarters development in Coventry supported by £1million of devolved funding from WMCA. The scheme has so far delivered close to 1,000 new homes, over a quarter of which are allocated for first-time buyers. The partnership will significantly contribute to the regional authority’s target of delivering 215,000 new homes by 2031.
The deal also supports the West Midlands’ Plan for Growth, which places particular focus on the manufacturing of future housing and the regeneration of brownfield sites in the region, which is also the location of the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton.
Andy Street, the West Midlands mayor and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands has been incredibly successful in recent years at regenerating old brownfield sites to build new, affordable homes – so much so that we are currently on track to meet our ambitious 2031 housing target.”
“However now is the time to double down on our success, not ease off, and so I am delighted we have been able to sign this deal with Keepmoat that will see even more homes, jobs, and investment come to the region.”
“Working together with Keepmoat we will breathe life into derelict brownfield sites, helping to protect our precious greenbelt while providing affordable, energy-efficient, good quality homes and jobs for local people.”
Cllr Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio lead for housing and land and leader of Solihull Council, added: “The commitment to use derelict industrial sites for eco-friendly, energy-efficient housing is exactly the sort of future-looking approach our region needs. Not only does this help protect our precious greenbelt while creating high quality and sustainable communities, it also boosts the local economy and supports the wellbeing of residents.”
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