Published: Wednesday, 5th March 2025
Work has started at the site of the former Aelfgar School in Rugeley, where Cannock Chase Council with partner Lovell, are set to provide 58 new homes, 29 of which will be available for affordable housing.
The development will see the first homes built to Future Homes Standards in the district. The design includes key features such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage technology.
Lovell, a partnerships housing specialist, has been appointed to work on this development.
The land, which was previously the site of Aelfgar School was demolished in 2016, will be named Farrier’s Fold offering a selection of two, three, and four-bedroom properties.
Councillor Sue Thornley, Portfolio Leader for Housing and Corporate Assets, said: "There is a significant demand for affordable housing in the district. It's fantastic to see a previously unused site being transformed to create more homes for local residents. These homes will be the first to meet the Future Homes Standard, ensuring lower living costs for our tenants."
Stuart Penn, regional managing director at Lovell, said: "This project exemplifies the potential of transforming neglected land into a vibrant community, with high-quality homes close to vital amenities. The site is expected to be hugely popular and, being 50% affordable, offers more options to buyers who want to live here.
“With 215,000 new homes needed by 2031 to support growth across the West Midlands, it’s great to see work underway to deliver this scheme. Farrier’s Fold also marks our first joint venture in home construction with Cannock Chase Council. Having collaborated on successful regeneration projects, we are proud to be strengthening this partnership and supporting more housing supply to meet the ambitious targets set for the region.”
Stuart added: “Not only is it our duty as responsible developers to ensure new homes are futureproofed with sustainable measures, but we are also proud to be prioritising residents. These enhancements offer the potential for lower energy bills, better ventilation and warmer, more comfortable living. Over time this has been proven to have a significant impact on quality of life and mental health, which is what makes it such an important aspect of our work.”
The scheme is set to be completed in 2026.