Developer appoints contractor JJ Rhatigan for 2,000-home pipeline

Singapore-backed property developer Strawberry Star Group has agreed a £500m partnership with construction firm JJ Rhatigan that will deliver 2,000 new homes in London and the east of England by 2025.

Strawberry Star said UK and Ireland-focused JJ Rhatigan’s work on the first phase its flagship 877-home “LU2ON” development, near Luton Airport, had paved the way for a longer-term strategic alliance.

It said JJ Rhatigan will now build the second phase of the LU2ON scheme, designed by Flanagan Lawrence and Stuart Forbes Associates, as well as further schemes in Kenton, Wembley and Harlow. Phase one of LU2ON is due to complete this spring.

Strawberry Star said the gross development value of the four schemes was expected to exceed half a billion pounds.

Strawberry Star chairman Santhosh Gowda said Rhatigan’s work on the first phase of LU2ON – which occupies a 6.9-acre site that was previously part of the Vauxhall car plant – had established trust between the two firms.

“It was a natural fit for us to partner with a construction firm with a track record of delivering excellent quality housing whilst using some of the best sustainability practices in the sector,” he said.

“By forging this long-term alliance, we can leverage each other’s strengths wherever necessary and significantly enhance our delivery capabilities. The partnership will shape our business for the future.”

JJ Rhatigan chief executive officer Ger Ronayne said the partnership would deliver a strong pipeline of work for the firm over the next few years.

“This will provide a springboard for us to grow our business even further in the UK and particularly in the Greater London area,” he said.

“This is the type of collaboration we strive for at JJ Rhatigan & Co. with all our clients and ultimately it will be mutually beneficial to both our clients and ourselves.”