Breaking-ground ceremony marks work being underway on over 500 new homes on Royal Victoria Court 

Construction work is now underway on a brand-new £85m mixed tenure development on the former Whiteheads steelworks in Newport.

Partnership housing developer Lovell and its partners Tirion Homes and Melin Homes marked the occasion with a breaking-ground ceremony on the brownfield site, which is one of Wales’ largest regeneration schemes.

Located off Cardiff Road, the development – called Royal Victoria Court – is being delivered by Lovell in partnership with Tirion Homes and support from Welsh Government.

Royal Victoria Court will consist of 528 properties, including one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom homes. 264 homes will be available for open market sale through Lovell Homes and 234 affordable homes for rent with Tirion Homes, alongside an additional 30 properties for low-cost home ownership through Melin Homes.

Work on the development is expected to be completed in 2025, and the first open market homes will be available for sale in spring 2022.

Over the course of the project, over 850 new jobs are expected to be created, including 40 apprenticeship placements for local people.

James Duffett, regional managing director at Lovell, said: “We are thrilled to have officially commenced work on our Royal Victoria Court development in Newport, and to have celebrated this occasion with our partners.

“This ground breaking marks the start of an incredible project for Lovell. We’re very proud to be delivering much need housing for local people and transforming this brownfield site into a thriving new community. Following our signing of the Placemaking Wales Charter, we are committed to providing Newport with homes that people can feel proud to call theirs.

“We’re delighted to be working with our long-standing partners Tirion, Melin and Welsh Government to deliver this development. Royal Victoria Court is an example of how partnership working can

benefit communities and the local economy, whilst creating numerous jobs and training opportunities.”

John Lovell, Chairman of Tirion Developments, said: “As Lead Developer, Tirion would like to echo James’ comments and thank all our partners and collaborators for their help in bringing this unique project to site. The achievement of 50% affordable homes, on a contaminated brownfield site, without the need for substantial grant assistance, should not be underestimated. Most importantly, the template we have created may be followed to deliver many more similar housing projects in Wales. Tirion is a dynamic, not for profit charitable company. Our next objective is to minimise living costs by utilizing self-generated, low carbon energy. This is particularly important at this difficult time.

“Particular credit must be given to Welsh Government for creating the initiatives and ideas that have led to this success; and facilitating solutions along the way. Particular thanks also to Lovell who have stepped up and contributed their own investment, skills and partnering approach.”

Paula Kennedy, Chief Executive of Melin, said: “This is a very exciting partnership development project, by working with Welsh Government, Tirion and Lovell we are looking forward to seeing the benefits this project will bring to Newport.

“As an organisation Melin Homes is passionate about creating opportunities for people and supporting communities to thrive. Royal Victoria Court is a large regeneration scheme and we are proud to play our part offering 30 properties for low-cost home ownership, which should be released late 2023.”

Councillor Jane Mudd, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “The council welcomes new investment and development in the city. I look forward to seeing this former industrial brownfield site being transformed into new homes to meet the housing needs of Newport’s growing population.”

Royal Victoria Court is ideally located close to the city centre of Newport, with the university and an abundance of pubs, cafes, shops, cinemas and theatres all nearby. The development is also in close proximity to food superstores and The Royal Gwent Hospital.

For more information on Royal Victoria Court, visit https://www.lovell.co.uk/developments/royal-victoria-court-newport/.

For details on Tirion Homes visit http://tirionhomes.co.uk/, and for Melin Homes visit https://www.melinhomes.co.uk/.

You can also like Lovell on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lovellhomes and follow Lovell on Instagram at @lovell_homes, and on LinkedIn @LovellPartnershipsLtd.