Keepmoat has been appointed to a £22m estate regeneration programme for Luton Borough Council.
Work on the central area of Marsh Farm, which is four miles outside of Luton town centre, started last week. Works will see the existing shopping centre demolished to make way for 118 new residential homes for rent, two blocks of retail units and associated infrastructure and landscaping works. The scheme will be delivered in three phases over a three-year period.
The first phase will provide 24 apartments above a new shopping facility comprised of seven retail units on the former Purway Close site. Phase two will involve the demolition of the Purley Centre, to construct 94 modern residential units in the third and final phase.
The scheme, located in the same town as Keepmoat’s regional head office, is a joint venture between Luton Borough Council and the Marsh Farm Steering Group, which is made up of local residents, businesses and key stake holders from the estate.
Keepmoat Regional Managing Director, Dan Germann, said: “The redevelopment of Marsh Farm offers a fantastic opportunity for the people of Luton. We will be working alongside Luton Borough Council to transform the area and create a brand new, high quality, mixed-use development which will significantly enhance the town’s leisure and residential offering.”
Cllr Tom Shaw, Portfolio Holder for housing, added: “We have been waiting for this moment for a long time so it’s really exciting to know our contractors are now on site and set to deliver major improvements to the Marsh Farm area. This scheme is set to make a real positive difference to the area, with high quality homes and shops bringing long-term social and economic benefits for local people.
“I would like to thank local residents and businesses in advance for their understanding as this exciting development moves forward and can assure them that the reward at the end will be fantastic for everyone.”
