Nationwide pushes on with Oakfield scheme despite lockdown

Building society the Nationwide is pressing ahead with construction on its 239-home exemplar housing project, Oakfield, in its HQ town of Swindon.

The scheme, which is the Nationwide’s first foray in to actually building homes rather than just lending against them, has remained on site and this week the firm signed up housing association GreenSquare to be the provider of affordable housing on the project.

The news comes amid the first signs that housing developers are looking to return to work, with most having initially shut down construction sites in response to the government’s coronavirus lockdown.

The UK’s number three housebuilder by turnover, Taylor Wimpey, said it will re-start work on sites from May 4, and smaller rival Vistry said it will re-open the majority of its sites next week.

Nationwide received planning permission last year for the Oakfield scheme, which is being built out by development manager Igloo. GreenSquare has been selected to purchase the 71 homes which are being built for affordable rent or shared ownership, signing contracts with Nationwide this week.

A spokesperson for GreenSquare confirmed that contractor Mi-Space is on-site with the scheme undertaking groundworks, with workers maintaining safe social distance from each other. The scheme is due to see first homes completed in the autumn of 2021.

Jo Curson, assistant director of development at GreenSquare, said the association was “proud” to be working with Nationwide on the exemplar project. She said: “We’re thrilled to have been selected by Nationwide to be part of this exciting new development in Swindon. It represents a real investment in the area and in delivering much-needed housing.

Nationwide Building Society’s director of commercial, Tony Alexander, said: “It has perhaps never been as important as it is today to invest in society and our communities”.