The Sovini Group break ground at new housing development in Crosby

WORK has started on a new affordable housing development off Moor Lane, in Crosby, delivered by The Sovini Group's commercial supply chain for 1 Vision Housing.

Located in the heart of Crosby Village, the development is set to support local people onto the property ladder with 72 Rent to Buy apartments. 4 commercial units will also be available for businesses to lease.

The development, named Moorside Place, is being delivered as part of the Group's development framework, which aims to build a better future through the creation of over 1,000 high quality, affordable homes across the next 5 years.

Through 1 Vision Housing's Rent to Buy scheme, residents will benefit from affordable rent, priced at around 20% less than the market rent, enabling them to save towards a deposit and buy the apartment they live in through Shared Ownership or an outright purchase.

Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing said:- "We are thrilled to announce the latest project within our ambitious development framework, delivered in partnership with our fellow [The Sovini] Group members. We recognise our impact on the social and economic development of the areas we work in. Through the development's commercial units we hope to create opportunities and change lives through employment prospects, helping to create a better future for the community and to further establish Crosby's destination appeal."

Built on brownfield land by Sovini Construction and the Group's commercial supply chain, the construction process will take a fabric 1st approach in order to prioritise sustainability and energy efficiency.

James Flannery, Director of Construction and Land commented:- "We are excited to have broken ground on our latest development for 1 Vision Housing. With the support of our commercial supply chain, we look forward to delivering high quality homes and commercial spaces, designed to help end users reduce energy consumption and running costs; supporting on our [The Sovini] Group's net zero carbon commitment. We pride ourselves on offering more than just bricks and mortar, and pledge to deliver a range of economic, environmental, and social value measures to positively impact the communities surrounding all our schemes."

The scheme is scheduled for completion in 2025 and early registration is now open.

To register your interest for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment, please visit:- OVH.Org.UK. Businesses interested in leasing a commercial unit at the scheme are encouraged to get in touch via:- Sales@OVH.Org.UK.
 

Care England reacts to Ofgem reporting its findings from a non-domestic gas and electricity market review

ON 26 July 2023, Ofgem reported its findings from a non-domestic gas and electricity market review and subsequently announced it will be asking Government for more to be done to address issues in the energy market for business customers.

Included within this review is the announcement that Ofgem will consult on extending micro business protections to all businesses, so energy bills spell out what is being paid to energy brokers plus allowing businesses to resolve disputes through the redress scheme.

This follows a letter signed by Care England to Ofgem, published earlier this week.

Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, said:- "Over the last 16 months, Government support has not reprimanded the inflated energy costs, which remain unsustainably higher than in previous years, and often worsened by poor broker behaviour. The care sector has been disproportionally affected by the rising energy costs, and the announcement today is a welcome step forward. Care England has been exercised in its calls for business protection measures and is pleased that the needs of the care sector have been recognised, only this week seeing a broker charge £68,126 for an energy renewal which our own professional energy broker reduced to £12,606. Consulting on extending micro business protections to all businesses is therefore essential to draw a halt to rogue broker behaviour and we welcome the increased protections Ofgem has called on Government to consider, including:- the power to regulate brokers and support vulnerable consumers on non-domestic contracts in care homes."

Earlier this year, to combat unscrupulous broker behaviour Care England launched the 2nd round of its energy tender which remains open to all care providers, to secure the lowest possible energy prices for gas as and electricity renewals between 2023 and 2026. Those wishing to take part can register here.