We are backing Rural Housing Week with success story in Worcestershire village
We are marking Rural Housing Week 2025 by shining a light on the positive impact of a recent rural development in Crowle, Worcestershire
The small scheme – Lower Orchard at Froxmere Road - in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside has delivered much needed affordable homes in the village, overcoming early opposition and site specific challenges to become an example of what’s possible through responsible development and strong local partnerships.
The new homes were delivered in partnership with contractor Logmoor Ltd and are now fully occupied. Despite early objections, which initially saw the project blocked at planning stage, the scheme was later approved on appeal. Following completion, many local residents praised the quality of the homes and sensitivity with which the development was delivered, with some even enquiring about securing a home for their own children or grandchildren.
A key part of the success was down to careful logistics and considerate construction. With the site only accessible via a narrow single track road, Logmoor Ltd made the decision to take a longer access route around the village, avoiding school run congestion and minimising local disruption. Limited space on site also meant that managing welfare facilities, parking and material storage required particularly close coordination.
Logmoor Ltd also donated equipment to the village’s litter picking group and maintained open lines of communication with nearby residents, hosting regular updates to build trust and address concerns.
Emma Edrop, one of our Senior Project Managers said: “Rural development always comes with challenges, from access and infrastructure to managing the expectations of local communities. But Lower Orchard shows how high quality homes can be delivered in sensitive locations, helping to meet housing need while enhancing the fabric of village life. It’s encouraging to see sceptics become advocates and we’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved.”
The development also benefitted from positive collaboration with Worcestershire Highways, which supported the Section 278 and Section 38 agreements required to ensure safe access and new road infrastructure. Logmoor’s commitment to doing things the right way was recognised by all parties involved.
The result is a collection of high specification homes set against a beautiful rural backdrop, offering much needed housing options to local people priced out of home ownership or struggling with high rents.
Rural Housing Week, led by the National Housing Federation, highlights the critical role housing associations play in addressing the challenges facing rural communities, including affordability, limited supply and access to services.
Emma concluded: “The week is about celebrating the value of rural communities and the vital need for homes that are affordable, well designed and available to those who need them. Lower Orchard is just one example of how we’re working with partners to create lasting, positive change in rural areas across the Midlands.”
Jeannie Bird, a resident on the development, previously lived in Crowle, having moved to the village in 1988 where her and her family felt very much part of the community. A number of years ago, family circumstances meant that Jeannie had to move away and ended up renting privately in Worcester; unfortunately the landlord announced the property needed to be sold due to the increase in interest rates. For the first time in her life, Jeannie was on the verge of being made homeless. At around the same time, the Crowle development was underway and Jeannie started the process of applying for one of the homes. Due to the cost of renting this was the only realistic way for Jeannie to return to Crowle.
She said: “I can’t begin to tell you how lovely it is to be back in Crowle. When I got the call from Platform to say I’d been successful I was overjoyed and I’m still pinching myself now. My son is close, my grandchildren attend the local school and the family is involved in the local football team. I have the security and peace of mind that comes with a lovely home, which is spacious and suits me down to the ground. I see all my friends regularly and volunteer with the horse riding community which is such a big part of village life.”
Logmoor Ltd is a trusted Midland’s based construction company dedicated to delivering tailored solutions and exceptional craftsmanship across residential, commercial, healthcare, education and industrial projects.
Rural Housing Week runs from Monday 7 to Friday 11 July; to learn more visit www.housing.org.uk/our-work/rural-housing/rural-housing-week.
Photo caption : Jeannie Bird, outside her home at the Lower Orchard development at Froxmere Road, Crowle, Worcestershire