A LANDMARK £65 million high-quality housing and commercial space complex, which is being delivered by national contractor Willmott Dixon on behalf of Peterborough Investment Partnership (PIP), has officially started on site with a ground-breaking ceremony attended by city leaders.

The new Northminster development will boast 315 units consisting of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, and 37 townhouses. The two ground floor units present leisure and hospitality commercial space opportunities, and residents will also benefit from improved public space at nearby Laxton Square.

Using innovative construction methods to build better, greener and smarter, the leading contractor plans to make efficiency savings through pre-manufactured value, which it forecasts will contribute to 63 per cent of the project value. Offsite elements will include a lightgauge steel frame, brick slips and the use of bathroom pods, which will help to ensure quality, programme certainty and come with environmental benefits.

Due to be finished in August 2024, the development, which is, in part, being funded by a £14 million grant from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, will provide much needed high-quality and affordable housing. All homes will be let at discounted rents, set at or below 80 per cent of the normal market rate.

The Northminster development is the latest in a recent string of high-profile projects for Willmott Dixon, which includes the build of 430 apartments on the Perry Barr Residential Scheme in Birmingham and the award-winning Town House at Kingston University that received the Royal Institute of British Architects’ prestigious Stirling Prize last year.

David McCallion, director at Willmott Dixon, said: “We are proud to be delivering this fantastic ten-storey flagship Northminster development in collaboration with PIP, providing affordable housing stock and valuable commercial spaces to further attract investment into the area. This is such an important regeneration project for Northminster and we are looking forward to working alongside our delivery partners to revitalise the area for residents and the wider community.”

Peter Hiller, board member at Peterborough Investment Partnership, added: “This is an exciting day for the city and the beginning of a new era for Northminster. When finished, residents will be able to look out from beautiful apartments and see the spires of Peterborough City Cathedral on their doorstep. They’ll be a short walk from our train station, with great links to the north and south, and an even shorter walk to the excellent bars, shops and restaurants in the city centre.”

Throughout construction, Willmott Dixon is maximising the project’s community impact by working with delivery partners to prioritise locally sourced labour, provide training opportunities for young people and invest in local businesses. The bespoke social value commitment planned will generate a social return on investment in the region of £3.2 million.

Willmott Dixon is working alongside project architect Corstorphine & Wright – a partnership that has been successful on a number of projects across the UK.