Just an hour's drive from our offices is one of the 11 developments within the UK Community Housing Fund managed by Man Group, to which we have committed £30m as part of our Affordable Housing Portfolio. We were thrilled to see firsthand how Man Group has been helping to deliver energy-efficient homes that make a real difference for the future residents.
From the moment we arrived, the development's aviation theme stood out, which we soon learned was inspired by the development being located on a former WWII airfield once used by American forces. It was great to see the development retain its historical roots, with themed street names and even the preserved runway at its centre.
Located near Didcot station and close to major roadways, including the A34, it provides excellent transport links to London, Southampton, and Oxford.
During our initial briefing we learned that the total development will offer 2,500 homes, of which Man Group have funded 108, of which all are being offered on affordable tenures or shared ownership in an area where new rented supply has not been offered since 2020.
All of these homes increase the supply of local affordable homes, above those required by planning authorisation. These are also meeting high demand locally with forecasts showing population growth increasing, which is evident as homes selling as soon as they are being completed.
The development is also helping to build communities creating:
- Two primary schools and one secondary school
- Open spaces, play parks and allotments
- A new local sports centre, with Sports England specification pitches
- New road links improving accessibility
After our briefing we went on to view one of the show homes, where the energy efficiency was immediately felt with the warm welcome from the cold outdoors. Whilst looking around the 2- bedroom show home, the site manager explained that each home is constructed within 20 weeks, reducing both build time and carbon footprint through pre-insulated panel construction. Rated EPC A (i.e. the highest rating for energy efficiency), these homes are both sustainable and quick to build.
We were pleased to hear how Man Group has driven these efficiencies, embracing initiatives that show a commitment to both investment returns and resident well-being.
On site initiatives:
- Solar panel installations for clean energy
- Timber frame construction for lower embedded carbon
- A shift from gas to air source heat pumps for heating
- Electric car charging points to support sustainable transport
Click the images below to enlarge them and take a closer look!
Site Plan showing newly created facilities
Plan of the site showing newly created facilities such as schools, sports facilities and homes
Image Gallery
Walking around the around the development you could see how the improvements on communal spaces had been a huge success, with a large green space used by dog walkers and children's areas retaining the original runway through the centre of the site.
Conclusion
Our visit highlighted that with innovative practices and forward-thinking investments, we can achieve our financial objectives whilst also delivering impactful, locally accessible affordable housing that meets both community needs. Our investment in Wantage is helping to create a new community and increase the supply of energy efficient affordable housing in the local area. and financial objectives. There doesn't need to be a choice between the two.
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