People from Rocester have celebrated the completion of a major housing re-development which provides modern, affordable family homes in the village.Phase I on the scheme was completed in June 2008 and Loughborough-based contractor and developer William Davis Ltd has now finished Phase II of the Riversmead scheme at Riversfield Drive, Rocester, Staffordshire. 

The £4.4m project, a partnership between William Davis and Trent & Dove Housing, involved the demolition of decrepit, Precast Reinforced Concrete (PRC) flats to create 29 new apartments, 30 two and three bedroom houses and 3 two-bedroom bungalows for affordable rent and for sale on a shared ownership basis.  

William Davis officially handed over Phase II to Trent & Dove Housing in the presence of the Mayor of East Staffordshire, Cllr Liz Staples, who unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. 

Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis Ltd said: “The completion of the properties at Riversmead has been particularly satisfying for the company as, together with Trent & Dove, we have been able to involve the local community throughout construction, enabling them to take real ‘ownership’ of the development.  

“From the construction skills day and Health & Safety presentations we delivered to local schoolchildren through to residents’ panel consultations and key handovers celebrating the first residents moving in, the level of co-operation and commitment we received has been remarkable. I wish all tenants the very best in their new homes.”  

John Jackson, chair of the board, Trent & Dove Housing: “We set William Davis Ltd a challenge to achieve a good standard of build, to finish on time and within budget and are pleased today to be congratulating them on not only completing this challenge, but also solving the local housing need in the Rocester area.” 

The new family homes form part of a wider, four-year framework agreement between the scheme partners to provide 350-500 new build properties across the East and West Midlands.

The new homes have proved very popular and there are only six shared ownership homes still available at Riversmead. Anyone requiring more information should contact Kath Jennings, Trent & Dove on 01283 528587.

(L-R) Cllr. Liz Staples, Mayor of East Staffordshire, Guy Higgins, managing director, William Davis Ltd and John Jackson, chair of the board, Trent & Dove Housing unveil the ceremonial plaque at the completion ceremony for Riversmead.

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