Birmingham housing development wins top award

A major housing and regeneration project in the heart of Newtown, Birmingham has been recognised with a prestigious Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for the West Midlands.

Crocodile Works, a flagship partnership scheme for Loughborough-based contractor and developer, William Davis Ltd, won in the ‘Regeneration’ category, triumphing in a shortlist of seven. The £17m scheme forms part of a wider plan to regenerate Newtown by creating affordable housing to support sustainable communities. It provides a mix of 168 apartments and townhouses, for affordable rent, outright sale and rent-to-homebuy.

“The sheer scale of this housing re-development made it an important and significant entry in the Regeneration category,” commented Roger Stone, chairman of the RICS West Midlands judging panel. “The project team has bravely and successfully taken an industrial site and built a secure development with a variety of new and connected houses, flats and apartments, doing much to improve the area and the lives of those living within it. It has to be seen to appreciate just what has been done and we believe it is more than deserving of the Regeneration title. RICS West Midlands would like to wish the project team the best of luck at the national awards later this year.”

Crocodile Works was built in partnership with housing and care organisation, Midland Heart; Birmingham City Council; The Homes and Communities Agency and Glenn Howells architects.

Richard Cornes, partnerships director, William Davis said: “Crocodile Works was one of our finest examples of partnership in practice. During construction, we worked closely with the Newtown community including schools, residents and local tradespeople to create a lasting legacy of cohesion. Winning this award serves as an excellent endorsement of these efforts.”

Ruth Cooke, chief executive officer, Midland Heart said: “We are delighted to have won such a prestigious housing award. Crocodile Works is a great example of what Midland Heart is all about; the development has transformed the area of Newtown – not only by providing affordable homes but helping to create a community and making it an enjoyable place to live.”

As a regional award winner, Crocodile Works will automatically go forward for entry into the national finals.