Work on 124 affordable homes on 'iconic' Birmingham housing development to begin after Staffordshire developer agrees land deal

Staffordshire housing developer Keon Homes will begin work on over 100 new affordable homes on Birmingham's Port Loop development next month after a deal to buy out part of the site was completed. 

A total of 124 new homes will be built over the next two years at the Icknield Port Loop Development after Keon Homes agreed a £35million "land-led" deal to commence work on phases 3A, B and C of the site masterplan, which will see construction of two, three and four-bedroom properties, alongside a small apartment block. 

Development on the high-profile site had stalled after modular housing developer Ilke Homes collapsed in August 2023, however the new partnership venture with Keon's sister company Cameron Homes and housing association Midland Heart will see work commence on the next phase of what is described as one of the city's "most iconic" new developments.

The next phases will comprise 21 units for shared ownership sales and the remainder for social rent, which the firm says will be marketed at local people, young couples and families. 

“As a Brummie born and bred, I’m delighted that we have found a solution that will eventually bring this next phase of the project to life,” said Warren Bolton, Director of Keon Homes. 

“It has been nine months in the making, but thanks to our strong partnership with Midland Heart and our ability to bring our sister business Cameron Homes into the mix, we were able to meet all the expectations and are now looking to build this flagship scheme out.  

“There is a desperate need for more affordable homes in the city and Icknield Port Loop was starting to meet some of these requirements. This is not just about ‘bricks and mortar’, this is about creating a thriving community that is just 15 minutes’ walk from everything Birmingham has to offer and will boast fantastic open spaces.” 

When complete, all homes will be zero carbon ready, incorporating electric heating, hot water heat pumps and generating localised electricity through solar panels. Phase three will involve timber frame construction with a fabric first approach and community neighbourhood gardens that will be at the heart of the scheme. 

Keon Homes will also be looking to work alongside the Noel Sweeney Foundation and other charities to ensure employment opportunities and a lasting positive legacy are left during the two years it is on site. 

Joe Reeves, Executive Director of Finance & Growth at Midland Heart, added: “We are thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Keon Homes and working with them at Icknield Port Loop, an iconic housing development for the city, to deliver over 100 homes for social rent and the remainder for shared ownership.

“This development of high quality, energy efficient homes is an important part of our ambitious housing delivery strategy, our commitment to addressing the housing shortage in Birmingham and creating communities where local people can live and thrive.” 

Icknield Port Loop is the latest in a long line of successes for Keon Homes, which is on course to hit £50m for the first time in its short history this year. The company has evolved into one of the Midlands’ fastest growing affordable developers and a business that thrives on delivering complex projects.  

Keon Homes is expecting the scheme to take just under two years to complete, with the first properties set to be handed over in Spring 2025.