Lovell and HBV sign JV to tackle ‘inadequate’ care provision

Housebuilder Lovell, part of Morgan Sindall Group, has formed a 50:50 joint venture with Altrincham-based supported living developer HBV to deliver a pipeline of specialist residential schemes. 

Jonathan Wrigley, executive chair of HBV, founded in 2009, said he hoped the partnership could help “build on progress made during the past decade in the supported living sector”. 

He added that the last year and a half had been a challenging time for the sector and criticised “inexperienced developers” for “flooding the market with short term inadequate accommodation”. 

Lovell, which is delivering homes across the region including as part of the regeneration of Miles Platting in East Manchester, has worked with HBV on several projects over the last eight years, including a 20-apartment scheme called Moorgate Hill in Blackburn.

The pair also developed a £4m supported living development in Birmingham called Oak House, while HBV in March completed a £3.5m supported living development in Tranmere, Merseyside, designed by Calderpeel.

The JV will see the companies work to deliver a pipeline of 12 supported living schemes in the North West and beyond in 2020. However, the parties declined to reveal details of possible pipeline schemes in the region, or whether development sites have been identified.

Wrigley said: “A requirement still exists for high-quality, bespoke, new-build supported living accommodation across the UK, given the support from politicians on all sides and a pent-up demand for long-term housing solutions among adult social care commissioning teams. 

“This focus on quality, safety and more suitable independent living spaces for vulnerable adults is more important in the current climate than ever before, as the sector tackles the issues surrounding COVID-19.”