13 new homes have been developed at Station Road, Kegworth, as part of a 1.8 million pound contract, delivered by GEDA for clients Platform Housing Group. The new homes will be a welcome addition to the flourishing East Midlands village.

Designed to meet the growing demand for housing in Kegworth, Matthew Close’s well connected location offers a host of local amenities, transport connections and educational opportunities at its doorstep. The development comprises of three one-bedroom homes, five two-bedroom homes, and five three-bedroom homes.

Matthew Close is of particular significance to GEDA, as it is the first project completed by the contractors in the village of Kegworth, which is the location of the company’s regional office.

GEDA was originally founded in 1983 as a construction and civil engineering company, with headquarters in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Following the completion of numerous social and private housing developments in the East Midlands and beyond, GEDA opened the doors to its Kegworth office in 2015 and has continued to deliver quality projects in the residential, educational, commercial and civils sectors. GEDA’s offices are located on High Street, Kegworth, less than one mile away from the new development on Station Road.

During the official opening of Matthew Close on 13th June, Chris Stinson, Associate Director of Construction at GEDA said,

“As a local contractor from the village it is particularly pleasing to leave a landmark here. The development looks and feels terrific and will no doubt be valued and appreciated for generations to come.”

Gerraint Oakley, Executive Director of Growth and Development at Platform Housing Group said:

“We’re delighted to be part of this development which will bring much-needed affordable new homes to Kegworth. It’s good to be working alongside GEDA once again; our strong partnership work will bring benefits to the overall housing provision for the area and for the local community too. We look forward to welcoming our customers to their new homes.”

The completion of Matthew Close signifies the 23rd project completed by GEDA for Platform Housing Group. The two organizations have collaborated to deliver 591 homes across the East Midlands region over the past decade. Of GEDA’s longstanding relationship with Platform Housing Group, Managing Director Aaron Hughes noted:

“We are extremely proud of our relationship with Platform Housing Group. Waterloo Housing Association (now part of the Platform Housing Group), were one of our original clients when we first opened our operation in the East Midlands in 2010. We are delighted to handover this project in Kegworth, and we look forward to many more.”

Prior to construction, the site of the new homes was occupied by JCS Kegworth, a former car dealership and garage originally founded by John Matthews Smith and business partner John Hickling in 1967. The local enterprise previously sponsored Nottingham Forest Football Club, and had franchised with both Fiat and Alfa Romeo during its illustrious history. John Matthews Smith’s son, Kenneth, successfully overtook and maintained the business for 23 years before retiring and deciding to sell the land for the current housing development.

GEDA and Platform Housing Group are proud to confirm that the development will be named Matthew Close, as a fitting tribute to the late John Matthews Smith.