Meeting Shropshire’s Housing Needs – Customer Experiences
19th February 2025
Cornovii Developments Limited, Shropshire Council’s private house building and regeneration company, has just entered the private rental market. The first 26 homes in St Martins, Ellesmere and Bayston Hill are providing much-needed homes in Shropshire, prioritising key workers, veterans and those with local connections to the area. With demand for rental housing on the rise, especially in rural areas and market towns, these modern, energy-efficient homes are offering a modern housing offer for families within Shropshire. A further 12 rental properties will soon be released at Cornovii’s development at London Road, Shrewsbury.
Case Study 1: A Home After 57 Applications
Background: Kevin and Amy Vyse, along with their young children, were struggling to find a rental property in Shropshire’s competitive market. Amy, an NHS worker, and Kevin had applied for 57 different homes before finally securing a four-bedroom property at Ifton Green, St Martins.
Experience: The wait was worth it. “We absolutely love our new home,” they said. The house’s spacious design and modern features perfectly suit their family. They were also impressed with the prompt and efficient maintenance service from Cornovii, ensuring their transition was as smooth as possible.
Impact: For Kevin and Amy, Ifton Green has provided the stability they desperately needed. With a secure tenancy and lower energy costs thanks to the home’s eco-friendly design, they can now focus on their work and family without the constant stress of searching for a suitable home. Being part of a welcoming community has also made a significant difference in their daily lives.
Case Study 2: Returning Home to Family and Community
Background:
An anonymous customer, originally from Shropshire, had been living in the city of Manchester but decided to move back to be closer to family as she was becoming a parent. Her employer offered her the opportunity to work from home once she returned from maternity leave, making it an ideal time to relocate. The customer wanted her family to grow up in the beautiful county she had enjoyed during her own childhood.
Experience:
The customer found the process of securing a home through Cornovii Developments to be incredibly smooth. "Everyone I have met has been really helpful, and the process was quick and simple" she shared. The customer had found the rental market very competitive, being on maternity leave and unable to compete with high down payments put her at a disadvantage. After applying for around 20 properties across the whole of Shropshire, she found she was often losing out to couples.
Finally, she heard about the homes Cornovii were offering in Bridgewater Street, Ellesmere and was successful in her application. The spacious three-bedroom house met her family’s needs perfectly. Moving back to be with family, she appreciated the support system now available. Also adding “the people in the community have been really nice, and the neighbours are always willing to chat”. She was surprised by the size of the bedrooms and that she was able to fit a table in the kitchen diner. All Cornovii homes are built to nationally defined space standards and the living areas reflect well-thought-out layouts. She also mentioned that the energy features, such as solar panels, were a bonus.
Cornovii’s focus on supporting local connections made the process even more appealing and accessible for her.
Impact:
Moving back to Shropshire has been a positive change for the customer. The supportive community and the quality of the home has made a significant difference in her life. With the ability to work from home and the support of her family nearby, she feels settled and content in her new environment. She is grateful for the opportunity and is now enjoying the community atmosphere with her family.
Case Study 3: A Home That Truly Fits Her Family’s Needs
Background: Nicole Irvine, her partner Andy, and their two young children—soon to be three—needed a home that could accommodate their growing family. With one child having a disability, space and accessibility were key priorities when they moved into a three-bedroom house at Ifton Green.
Experience: Nicole describes the entire process as seamless. “From the application form to moving in, everything has been brilliant,” she said. The solar panels and excellent insulation have helped her cut down on energy costs. “The bills are really affordable because of how well insulated the homes are, which keeps the house warm. That’s so important for me with two small children, one of whom is disabled.”
Impact: The move has given Nicole’s family a fresh start in a home designed for both comfort and efficiency. Lower energy bills mean she can focus more on her children’s well-being, and the sense of community in the area has provided much-needed support. The accessibility of local amenities has further eased the pressures of daily life.
Case Study 4: Finding Space and Stability for a Growing Family
Background:
Mia Pritchard, a dedicated care worker, and her partner recently moved into a three-bedroom home at Ifton Green in St Martins with their two young children. Like many working families, they needed a home that offered enough space for their children to thrive.
Experience:
Mia quickly found that Ifton Green was the perfect fit. “It’s the perfect space for my family,” she shared. The energy-efficient features, such as the air source heat pump, have made a noticeable difference in her energy bills. With a modern layout and plenty of room for her children to grow, the property has provided the secure and comfortable environment they needed. Cornovii Developments' prioritisation of key workers like Mia made the process even more reassuring.
Impact:
The move has been life-changing for Mia’s family. The combination of quality and a supportive community has allowed her to focus on her career and family life without the burden of rising living costs. Access to local amenities has also made day-to-day life much easier, improving their overall well-being.
A Rental Market in Crisis: How Cornovii Developments and Shropshire Council is Meeting Local Demand
The rental market in Shropshire, particularly in rural communities and some market towns, has become increasingly challenging for families. Over the past five years, average rents in the county have risen by over 30% in some areas, making it harder for key workers, young families and those with local ties to secure suitable housing.
This surge in rental prices is largely due to heightened competition for available properties and many landlords leaving the market. High demand and limited supply have led to situations where private rental properties are often allocated within a week of being listed. Consequently, many prospective tenants find themselves in bidding wars, further driving the difficulty to secure an affordable tenancy on the private rental market.
Cornovii Developments is tackling this issue head-on by offering high-quality, energy-efficient homes at competitive market rental prices. Whether it’s supporting NHS workers like Amy, providing stability for families like Nicole’s, or giving working parents like Mia and Stacey the space they need, these homes are making a real difference.
With more families set to move in, Cornovii is proving that high quality, well-designed rental housing can be a reality—helping people put down roots in the communities they love. Cornovii is now working with partners to develop a product which will allow more customers to purchase their own home through a rent to own scheme, and are releasing further private rented homes at its London Road development in the spring.
Cornovii was set up to meet unmet housing need in the County, and are incredibly proud to be able to include private rent in our multi tenure developments to further meet the housing demand and specific needs of Shropshire’s communities.
