Pictured above: (l-r) Labourer Chris Adams and apprentice Alex Lennon

A development of nearly 200 homes in Shard End from housebuilder Barratt West Midlands is creating new jobs as well as places to live for local people.

Named The Crescent, the £27 million project has become the place of work for 50 labourers, tradesmen and subcontractors as well as two apprentices, many of who live within five miles of the site.  

Since the scheme began last November more than £2.2 million worth of contracts have been given to local suppliers, operating within five miles of the site, including electrical contractors, ground workers, bricklayers and security companies.

As well as new homes the development will provide a new vicarage for All Saints Church, a new library and 14,000 sq ft of retail units including a Co-op, bookmakers, post office, chip shop and a bakery. A number of the retailers operate from the area already and are being relocated in brand new premises as a result of the development.

In total 124 one-, two- and three-bedroom houses will be available for private sale along with 67 affordable homes.

Adrian Farr, Managing Director for Halesowen-based Barratt said, "From the start the Shard End scheme has been about more than just fulfilling housing needs and is one of a number of projects we are working on in the region that have local people at its heart.

"We have worked for a number of years with our partners here in Shard End to devise a scheme that would benefit the whole community and it is pleasing to see that in developing this site we are also able to aid both physical and social regeneration."

Details of one of the apprentices and the local labourer are:

Alex Lennon

Carpentry apprentice

Age 16

Lives in Kings Heath

Studying NVQ in carpentry at South Birmingham College

Alex said, "Being an apprentice is fantastic; I like being outdoors and am learning a trade which I enjoy.  I had to take test to get this position so I feel really lucky to be working here.  

"I knew I wanted a real job and to study at the same time and being able to do this with Barratt is ideal.  In the future I'd like to get into construction management and hopefully this apprenticeship will put me in good stead to achieving that one day."

Chris Adams

Site labourer

Age 33

Lives in Shard End

Found position through Job Centre, was previously unemployed for six months

Chris said, "I've lived in Shard End for 12 years and over time the estate has become really run down.  So it's great that work has started on trying to turn things around.  I'm pleased that I'm actually going to be part of the change.  

"It's even better that this development has provided me with the opportunity for work. After being unemployed for six months I'm obviously pleased to be earning again, especially so close to home."

Barratt is injecting more than £20 million into the project whilst the remaining investment has been jointly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and Birmingham City Council.

The Crescent is located on The Shardway and offers a selection of one-bedroom maisonettes priced from £74,950 and three-bedroom houses priced from £144,950.  

For more information, please contact the sales office open daily from 10am to 5pm on 0121 748 2638.

The affordable homes are available through Affinity Sutton on 0300 100 0303.