news
£14m flats development completed despite Covid
Man dies in ‘tragic’ block blaze A man died in a ‘tragic accident’ during a massive blaze at a block of flats. Firefighters were called to the burning building in Epping, Essex, where a fire had started in a top- floor apartment. Fire investigator Mark Earwicker said: “We believe this was a tragic accident. We have recorded the cause as accidental but because of the extent of fire damage in the flat, it’s difficult to determine exactly how the fire started.”
D eveloper Urban Village Capital has completed on a £14m apartment complex despite facing issues due to lockdown. The Birmingham-based company signed off on Knight’s House, a nine-floor former office block in Sutton Coldfield. Featuring 63 apartments, including 12 penthouses, the development adds to Urban Village Capital’s growing portfolio of build-to-rent developments. Having announced practical completion in November,
buildings and turning them into desirable living spaces, which is aiding the UK government's push for 300,000 new homes every year. Urban Village Capital chief executive Nick Sellman said: "Knight's House is a stunning addition to the Birmingham residential rental market. "The final couple of months of the development did pose one or two challenges, but nothing that we haven't been able to overcome to add this development to our growing list of properties.”
Urban Village Group has had to negotiate the issues posed by the COVID-19 lockdown before being able to open up the rental market. While the finishing touches were completed to the property during the lockdown, Urban Village Group offered two- months rent-free accommodation to NHS workers serving in Birmingham's hospitals during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. Urban Village Group is pioneering the conversion of unloved former commercial
Leasehold Group mourning the sudden death of MD Louie Burns
T he Leasehold Group was Director, colleague and friend Louie Burns in the early hours of Sunday 21 June 2020. Louie, who joined Leasehold Solutions in 2009, was passionate about fighting the injustices of leasehold. He steered the company’s crusade for changes to the system and, continuing the legacy of the late Alex Greenslade, actively devastated to hear about the sudden death of its Managing campaigned to empower and level the playing field for leaseholders, often against vociferous opposition. Louie, like Alex, believed it was the
condolences go to his wife Di, his sons and his family at this tragic time. A larger than life character, Louie filled every room he entered, and he was admired by supporters and opponents because of his huge personality, his affability, goodness, and his support for many charities. We know that Louie would not want us to rest on our laurels so we will continue to fight the good fight and work tirelessly, as we always have, to secure the fairest outcomes for leaseholders. We have lost a true friend, a colleague and an inspiration and he will be greatly missed by us all.”
right thing to do and it was a passion he helped to instil in the whole team. Louie was much more than a dedicated campaigner. As Managing Director, he was an inspirational leader, an engaging public speaker and he made it his mission to educate owners of leasehold flats and houses about the issues of this form of property tenure via roadshows and, latterly, masterclasses and podcasts. Anna Bailey, CEO of The Leasehold Group, said: “The directors of the Leasehold Group, my colleagues and I cannot quite believe that Louie is gone, and our
House builder steps up to the plate
H ouse builder David to help those struggling to feed themselves during the coronavirus crisis. The company donated a range of items to Basingstoke Foodbank, which is part of the Wilson Homes Southern stepped up to the plate
necessary stocks to respond to this crisis. “The support of David Wilson Homes means food banks will be able to remain agile to respond to the fast-changing situation and continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food and additional support for people in crisis.”
meals for those in need. Samantha Stapley, chief
Trussel Trust. Groceries, including food and toiletries, were given to help those in need during the challenging lockdown. After being weighed by the volunteers at the food bank, the total of items donated came to 28.36kg, which is equivalent to 68
operating officer at the Trussell Trust, said: “As the coronavirus outbreak developed, more people needed a food bank help. Our teams worked tirelessly to ensure that food banks were able to remain open and have the
7
www.newsontheblock.com
ISSUE 108
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker