St. Modwen, a leading developer of new communities and high-quality homes, plans to deliver up to 350 new all-electric homes on the historic MG Rover site in Birmingham.
Powered by a dedicated ‘smart grid’, electricity will be supplied and tracked across a network of homes to ensure this first phase of homes will be 100% gas-free. The innovation is believed to be the first to be used by a major developer as St. Modwen continues to pioneer sustainable new ways to build and power homes. The smart grid design is being developed alongside SNRG, specialists in next-generation energy infrastructure.
This latest move follows the launch of St. Modwen’s first carbon-negative homes earlier in 2022. This landmark trial uses the latest construction techniques and new renewable technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps, resulting in homes that produce more energy than they consume and potentially reducing energy bills by 76% compared to a standard new-build house. Aspects of this trial will be deployed in the new electric homes and all new developments by St. Modwen as carbon-reducing technology becomes standard.
Sarwjit Sambhi, CEO of St. Modwen, said: “Every organisation needs to be taking steps to deliver more sustainable products and services, but we have taken leaps by introducing carbon-negative homes and smart-grid powered developments. We’re proving that greener homes can be delivered at commercial scale, which is not just the right thing for the environment but also allows us to meet the demand of our customers.”
The Longridge site has been made possible following £20million of infrastructure investment in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Outline planning was secured for the site in 2021 for a total of 350 new homes, with new homes expected to be built by St. Modwen Homes from autumn 2022 onwards. The vast site in south Birmingham will also have a positive impact on the local economy, creating 7,500 new jobs over the coming years and is expected to attract a number of new employers to move to the area.
Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands Combined Authority, added: “I congratulate St. Modwen on building the innovative green homes of the future right here in our region. These new homes will be wonderful places to live, boost energy efficiency and affordability and help us to tackle the climate emergency. Longbridge is a brilliant example that points the way to a more sustainable future for the West Midlands – fast becoming a fantastic hub from which to live, work and play as well as creating high-quality job opportunities for our local residents along the way.”
