Rugby scheme reaches construction milestone

A £26 million affordable housing development is taking shape in Warwickshire as the first timber frame structures are assembled.

Purpose-led developer Morro Partnerships is delivering 108 homes at Projects Drive in Rugby through a partnership with housing association Orbit, supported by Homes England and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The partnership combines Morro’s development and construction expertise with Orbit’s experience delivering affordable housing across the Midlands.

The six-acre brownfield regeneration scheme will provide 72 homes for social rent and 36 for shared ownership, ranging from one and two-bedroom apartments and maisonettes to two, three and four-bedroom houses.

Morro is using modern methods of construction, with timber frames manufactured at its 9000sq ft Innovation Hub in Leicester.

The facility has capacity to produce between 300 and 400 units annually, with timber construction helping accelerate delivery by allowing internal trades to begin work once structures are watertight.

Simon Preston, managing director at Morro Partnerships, said: “The start of timber frame assembly is an exciting milestone for the Projects Drive development and a visible sign of the progress being made on site. 

“Through our use of MMC, we're able to build homes more efficiently while also reducing carbon.  

“Timber frame construction allows us to reduce waste, improve build quality, speed up delivery and create homes with excellent thermal performance. 

“For future residents, this supports lower energy bills and a more sustainable place to live. 

“We are proud to be working alongside Orbit to bring these much-needed affordable homes to Rugby.” 

Phil Andrew, group chief executive at Orbit, added: “We’re delighted to see the first timber frames laid down at Projects Drive, marking a key moment as we work together with Morro Partnerships and the West Midlands Combined Authority to build more much-needed, quality affordable housing in Rugby.  

“We’re also proud to be delivering almost a third of the new homes at Projects Drive as new one-bedroom homes for social rent, to meet local need for quality new social housing that supports smaller households. 

“Projects Drive represents not only our investment towards the delivery of a mix of new affordable homes locally, but also our wider commitment to playing our part in regenerating our nearby estate surrounding Hollowell Way.” 

Projects Drive is also expected to support wider regeneration plans for a nearby housing estate at Hollowell Way in Brownsover, which Orbit has proposed for redevelopment.

The first homes are expected to be handed over towards the end of 2026, with the entire development scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which has invested £2.5 million into the scheme, added: “Projects Drive is an important development, not only for creating much-needed homes but also providing a supportive, seamless transition for our community. 

“By focusing on a high number of one-bedroom homes, we are directly addressing local housing demand while simultaneously creating the vital space required to rehouse and support existing residents from the nearby Brownsover estate during its proposed regeneration." 

John Slinger, MP for Rugby, added: “I welcome the news that by the end of this year we will have new residents in Projects Drive, in homes that will be sustainable, lower heating cost and delivered at speed that will allow people on housing waiting lists access to a real home. 

“I hope that this innovative method of manufacturing can be used more and more to bring real solutions to the housing needs of Rugby residents. 

“The Government’s commitment to social housing remains undimmed and I will work with the new Secretary of State, the council and the WMCA to make sure that we build more social homes.”

Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day. Find out how Bdaily can help →

Join more than 55,000 subscribers by signing up to our daily bulletin each morning here.