Homes ready for Christmas
Birds-eye photos show how the landscape of Telford is being dramatically changed by the massive Telford Millennium Community housing estate.
These birds-eye photos show how the landscape of Telford is being dramatically changed by the massive Telford Millennium Community housing estate.
Work started on the 700-home development - sprawling between Ketley, Hadley and Wombridge - in July last year.
A huge operation has seen acres of former mining land cleared of growth and flattened. More than 100 former mine shafts had to be capped.
In June builders moved in and started work on the first phase of the development, off Holyhead Road, which is meant to set a standard for "21st century living". Today Bryant Homes, which has been contracted to complete building work at the site, revealed the first of the properties would be complete by Christmas.
Spokesman Ian Dutton said the project was moving well.
He said: "The first residents could move into the development this year.
"New homes are now available for sale from the office on site."
This month Michael Wilkinson, a former parish councillor in Ketley and photographer by trade, captured the change so far in these pictures.
His company Infocus Photography often takes aerial photos from planes, usually for industrial customers, and he decided to look in "his own back yard".
As chairman of the council he worked with regeneration agency English Partnerships and Telford & Wrekin Council on plans for the development.
Bryant Homes has christened the estate The Village.
It was originally one of eight millennium community projects that were earmarked by the Government to try new approaches to housing.
The developer says it is living up to the aim by making use of environmentally friendly building methods and designs aimed at encouraging strong communities. There will be lots of open spaces and areas reserved for pedestrians.
Bryant regional managing director John Fitzgerald said: "This is the start of an exciting time for Telford and everyone involved in this scheme.
"The Village will create a new community that also benefits the wider locality, through improved facilities and encouragement of further investment into the area."
Marie Monk-Hawksworth, a manager for regeneration agency English Partnerships, which is overseeing the project, added: "These are exciting times and we are really keen to see our vision come into fruition, creating a modern, flourishing neighbourhood in which people can socialise, work and learn as well as demonstrating pioneering sustainable housing design."
