MORE THAN £1.14 million in social value and 52 new energy-efficient homes are being delivered in Daventry, as Morro Partnerships progresses the London Road development.
So far, 14 homes have been handed over, with the remaining properties due for completion and handover throughout the summer.
The £12.6 million scheme, delivered in partnership with emh group and funded by Homes England, is transforming a former brownfield site, previously home to a car wash and nursery, into a sustainable new community.
The development includes one-bedroom apartments through to four-bedroom family homes, all fitted with photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) charging points and built using timber frame construction from Morro’s Innovation Hub to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs.
The project has created significant local employment and training opportunities. Five direct employees were hired for the build, alongside 30 roles within the supply chain. The scheme also delivered 312 weeks of apprenticeships and 52 weeks of accredited training, with work experience placements and site visits for local students to gain practical insight.
The development provides a 50/50 split between shared ownership and affordable housing, offering high-quality rental homes and accessible homeownership opportunities. The homes are designed to support families and individuals in the community, combining sustainable design, energy efficiency and practical living spaces to create a long-term positive impact.
Environmental responsibility was central to the scheme. More than 60 tonnes of hard-to-recycle waste were diverted from landfill, while materials from the old site were reused wherever possible, demonstrating a circular approach to construction.
Abdul Mozzamdar, head of social purpose at Morro Partnerships, said: “Embedding social value into our developments is central to how we operate, and the London Road project is a great example of that in action.
“Through this scheme we’ve supported local employment, apprenticeships and skills training while also engaging with schools and colleges to inspire the next generation. At the same time, we’ve prioritised environmentally responsible construction methods to reduce waste and maximise recycling wherever possible.”
Surplus offcuts from the development were donated to workshops at HMP Onley, extending the project’s social and educational impact into the wider community. Employees also volunteered time and donated equipment to local community projects, reinforcing the scheme’s broader benefits. Morro Partnerships’ quality and operational standards were recognised with a Premier Guarantee Quality Recognition award for outstanding inspection scores across health and safety, site management, workmanship and site tidiness.
Simon Preston, managing director for the East Midlands at Morro Partnerships, added: “Our first handover marks an important milestone for everyone involved. We’ve delivered high-quality, energy-efficient homes while ensuring the project created meaningful benefits for the local community through jobs, training and social value.
Chris Jones, executive director of housing and development & deputy chief executive at emh, said: “We are pleased this milestone has been reached, and wish all the new residents happiness in their new homes.
“Such partnership schemes support our ongoing development work and ambitions to play a significant role in addressing the region’s housing shortage. As a Homes England partner, we’ve a track record of strong, creative delivery and we look forward to continuing this across future schemes.”
Morro Partnerships will also continue its engagement with local education providers throughout the summer. Students from Northampton College are set to take part in hands-on site demonstrations, including drone surveying and monitoring, offering first-hand experience of modern construction techniques.