Full house at council's flagship £22 million Navigation Way development

The second phase of homes built on the former Biart Place site was handed over to the council by construction partner Willmott Dixon in the new year, with the development's 60 one and two-bedroomed apartments, 20 maisonettes and 20 two, three and four-bedroomed houses now fully occupied.

All homes were allocated to eligible households on the council's housing waiting list.

Cllr Claire Edwards, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for communities and homes, regulation and safety, joined a tour of the completed development this week, and said: "Navigation Way has transformed the former Biart Place site and delivered 100 modern, sustainable properties which have now become home to eligible households on the council waiting list.

"We have worked closely with Willmott Dixon throughout the development and benefited from the financial support of both the Government and Homes England, which helped bring our plans from the drawing board to delivery.

"Now work has been completed, we again want to thank the community who live near the site for their patience and understanding while construction was taking place."

Homes England supported the development with a £6.8 million grant from its Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026, funding which allowed the council to allocate all 100 homes to eligible households on the council's waiting list.

Navigation Way also secured a further £2 million from the Government's Get Building Fund.

Homes at the development benefit from sustainable design and construction, including electric vehicle charging points, solar panels and air source heat pumps.

Michelle Cotterill, director at Willmott Dixon, said: "Navigation Way is a fantastic example of how collaboration can deliver lasting impact for a community.

"Working closely with Rugby Borough Council, we have transformed the old Biart Place site into high quality, energy efficient homes that directly address local need.

"Seeing all 100 properties now occupied is a proud moment for Willmott Dixon and reflects our commitment to creating sustainable places where people can thrive.

"This development not only provides much-needed housing, but leaves a legacy that we, the council, and the whole community can be proud of."

The name 'Navigation Way' was chosen by councillors to celebrate the role the railway and canal networks played in Rugby's rapid industrial growth in the 19th century.

Cllr Noreen New, Rugby Borough Council's Liberal Democrat group spokesperson for communities and homes, regulation and safety, said: "It is exciting to see the old Biart Place site has been sensitively redeveloped to give so many families the opportunity to live in new, well-equipped homes which are fit for the future."