Qualis Group will build out council land in the borough, starting with schemes for 400 homes

Epping Forest council has set up a development firm, Qualis, designed to build out developments including market housing on council-owned land in the borough.

Epping Forest St John Qualis

The London borough has set up a group of companies under the Qualis brand which will develop, own and manage homes and commercial properties, and has approved a commercial loan of £120m to the firm to get it up and running.

Council papers show that one of the firm’s first priorities will be to develop out a string of sites around St John’s Road in Epping to deliver a new leisure centre and cinema alongside 400 homes. In addition, the firm will also build out a 35-home scheme in Roundhills, Waltham Abbey for private rent.

Most of the homes constructed will be owned and managed in perpetuity for private rent by Qualis, which will be split in to three different companies. Qualis Commercial will oversee development, Qualis Living will own assets after development and Qualis Management will provide management services to residents.

The council has said that the St John’s and Roundhills schemes would be “an early priority” for Qualis which would enable it “to demonstrate successful implementation”. It added in a statement that the group was designed to deliver objectives including creating jobs, growing the local economy, and improving housing and public amenities.

The council has formed the company as a commercial venture designed to deliver a minimum 3% return against the loan advanced by the council.

Paul Ffolkes Davis, chair of Qualis Group, said the firm had been set up “to shape our community by investing, building, maintaining and renewing the places where we work, live and play.”

“Through early and ongoing engagement with local residents we will create much needed homes, business opportunities, a strong sense of community and new amenities for everyone to enjoy.”

The council said that the ‘new normal’ emerging post-covid meant that creating “walkable communities” would be a key focus for the firm, alongside protecting the character and green environment of the district, which is mostly situated in the metropolitan green belt. 

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