A new housing development in Market Drayton designed to reflect the town’s heritage has been officially opened at a special event.
Comprising 18 apartments, the new homes were erected on the site of an old pub and neighbouring derelict land by leading housing and care provider Sanctuary Group, in partnership with Shropshire Council and contractors Seddon.
Guests at the opening event included Cllr Tim Beckett - the Mayor of Market Drayton, and Cllr Malcolm Price, who took the opportunity to meet new residents and tour the recently completed scheme.
The development was named after the old pub, The Unicorn, which has been sensitively restored into two apartments. The remaining 16 homes, comprising one and two bedroom apartments, have been newly constructed and designed to complement neighbouring properties in the historic market town.
Sanctuary commissioned a ceramic artwork of the unicorn, similar in style to the original unicorn depicted on the former pub, to remind people of its local heritage while also acting as scheme signage.
Cllr Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning and housing, said: “Unicorn Court is a very impressive development, one that really has transformed the site and provided a real boost to Market Drayton. It was great to see the finished work for myself, and to meet some of the new residents.”
Jim Wright, project manager for Sanctuary Group, commented: “We are hugely proud of Unicorn Court and all that it offers to the local people. Not only have we made the properties available to people with a local link to the town but we have transformed a site that was an eyesore for so long.
“We felt it very important to mark the town’s heritage through the development and as such have included elements that locals will recognise as part of Market Drayton, from the dummy chimneys upon the roofs to the ceramic sign on the wall of the old pub. We wish the residents every happiness in their new homes.”
Ian Calder, regional manager from Seddon, added: “Unicorn Court has completely transformed what was a derelict site into a thriving hub of activity, providing properties that people want to call home. We are delighted to have been selected to work alongside Sanctuary Group to make this project come to life.”