Local community celebrates completion of affordable housing development in Leamington Spa

Matt Western MP for Warwick and Leamington, welcomed the addition of new, affordable homes alongside housing group and developer Orbit and partners, Deeley Construction.

A development of over 140 affordable, family homes in Leamington has reached completion. 

Known as Union Park, the £29 million development of 147 homes sits on the former Soans’ motor dealership site in Sydenham. The names of classic Ford cars now mark the streets in and around the neighbourhood paying respect to the rich heritage of the site.  

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, welcomed the addition of new, affordable homes alongside housing group and developer Orbit and partners, Deeley Construction.

He said: “I would like to thank Orbit, Deeley Construction and Warwick District Council for working together to create this fantastic development. It is important to recognise the contribution Orbit has made to the local area with the Union Park development. I visited the site some months ago and I am deeply impressed with the high environmental and construction standards of these homes.

“As the former County Councillor for the area and now as the MP, I have long campaigned for more social and affordable housing so it is excellent to see this development contributing towards combating the housing crisis.”

Offering canal-side living, Union Park has brought 55 homes to the open market, as well as 39 homes available for shared ownership (part buy, part rent) and 53 for affordable rent. Following high demand, all properties have now been sold or rented – just 18 months after building began.

John Carleton, group property investment director at Orbit said: “A successful regeneration, Union Park offers affordable, family living in an enviable location. From a family business, to what is quickly becoming a thriving community, we’re proud to add Union Park to our expanding development portfolio across the district.”

The development, delivered in partnership with Coventry-based Deeley Construction, offers a selection of two and three bedroom houses as well as one and two bedroom apartments.

Martin Gallagher, managing director of Deeley Construction, added: “It was lovely to see a sense of community already developing – with children heading off to school and people going out to work – and it reminds you that developments such as this are about more than bricks and mortar, but creating homes for people.

“Our role in the partnership to deliver Union Park was highlighted on the day and we are thrilled with the part we have played in bringing this scheme forward from start to finish.”

Orbit delivered over 2,000 new homes in the last financial year. Over the next 10 years the housing group has plans to build a further 20,000 new homes across the midlands, south and east of the country, contributing to the UK’s housing growth.

A special thanks to the following people for making the event a great success, bringing to life its rich heritage:

  • Mr Richard Soans – Ford Model A
  • Mr Michael Dye – Ford Corsair
  • Mr Adam Fox – Ford Granada
  • Mr Joseph Marcello – Ford Anglia
  • Mr Sid Shaw – Ford Orion
  • The Allen Ford Dealership, Leamington Spa – Ford Mustang