Planning approval for major affordable-rent scheme
A partnership led by for-profit affordable homes venture Habiko has secured planning permission for 228 rental homes in Solihull, with rents to be set at 20% below local market levels. The proposals, known as Holbeche Place Phase 2, were approved by Solihull Council and form a key element of a wider town-centre regeneration masterplan.
Habiko is a joint venture between Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), Muse and Homes England. The Phase 2 scheme comprises one and two-bedroom apartments and is designed in red brick with references to late Victorian mansion blocks, including bay windows and balconies. It sits within the broader Holbeche Place framework for Solihull town centre, which is planned to deliver 1,600 homes alongside shops, cafés, restaurants and new public spaces.
What the plans include
The development focuses on affordable homes for rent and includes measures to prioritise active and low-carbon travel. Residents will have access to a landscaped communal garden, cycle storage with a maintenance station, and electric vehicle parking provision.
- Homes: 228 one and two-bedroom rental apartments
- Rent levels: set at 20% below local market rate
- Design: red-brick, mansion-block inspired architecture with bay windows and balconies
- Transport and amenity: landscaped garden, cycle storage and EV spaces
The partnership describes the town-centre focus as part of a strategy to support a more walkable, better-connected urban core. Speaking after the decision, a senior figure from the development team said the project marks an important moment for the wider masterplan and its emphasis on liveability.
“Securing Habiko’s first homes in the West Midlands is an important step forward for Habiko and for the wider Holbeche Place masterplan.”
“We’ve shaped proposals that support a more walkable, well-connected town centre and create a place where people can live well.”
The homes will be owned and managed by PIC’s for-profit registered provider, Verda Living, which completed its registration with the Regulator of Social Housing in April. The developer said it is targeting a minimum of 75% affordable homes across its schemes and aims to deliver 3,000 affordable rental properties over the next 12 years.
Part of a broader pipeline
Habiko was launched in 2024 and currently has three sites in development. In May, it obtained permission for 240 homes in Warrington town centre and is advancing approvals for another site in Chester. The Solihull scheme is the venture’s first in the West Midlands, signalling a continued push into urban centres where new homes near services and transport can reduce reliance on cars.
While the council’s approval is a clear milestone, the partnership has not publicly set out a construction timetable in the material released. Practical details such as phased delivery and lettings processes are expected to be confirmed as the project moves from planning into delivery. Residents and local businesses can anticipate further engagement as site preparation begins and the finer points of public realm and access are worked through with the council and stakeholders.
Town-centre regeneration and affordability focus
Solihull town centre has been earmarked for growth through mixed-use regeneration, with new homes intended to support retail, hospitality and public spaces. The approved Phase 2 homes are positioned as part of that package, adding discounted rental options near jobs, transport and amenities. For households priced out of market rents, a 20% reduction could broaden access to centrally located housing, though demand is likely to remain high given limited supply and continued pressures on the private rented sector across the region.
The architectural approach, framed around traditional materials and proportions, is set alongside contemporary sustainability measures such as dedicated cycle facilities and EV parking. Developers say those features should make it easier for residents to adopt lower-carbon travel choices while benefitting from proximity to the town centre’s services and employment.
At a glance: Holbeche Place Phase 2
| Element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Homes | 228 one and two-bedroom apartments |
| Tenure | Affordable rent, 20% below local market rates |
| Owner/Manager | Verda Living (PIC’s for-profit registered provider) |
| Design | Red-brick, mansion-block inspired; bay windows and balconies |
| Amenities | Landscaped garden; cycle storage with maintenance station; EV spaces |
| Masterplan | Part of a 1,600-home town-centre regeneration with shops, cafés, restaurants and public spaces |
| Delivery partner | Habiko (PIC, Muse, Homes England) |
Next steps
As final designs are translated into construction plans, attention will turn to the build schedule and preparations on site. Prospective tenants should expect further guidance closer to completion, including eligibility criteria and how to register interest. With planning consent in place, the focus now falls on delivery and maintaining the scheme’s affordability and quality commitments through to occupation.
