Social purpose-led developer Morro Partnerships is progressing works at Birmingham development Yardley Brook, alongside providing a major boost to the community through employment, training and charitable causes.
The 298-home affordable housing scheme, delivered in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Midland Heart, is a major project for the region that commenced in 2024.
Having spent the first 12 months on extensive site remediation, followed by finalising the deal, Morro kicked off full construction operations at the start of 2026, immediately placing social value at the heart of the build.
The first homes are due for handover by the end of the year, with full completion of the site earmarked for 2030 in line with targets set by Midland Heart.
Tom Broadway, managing director for Morro in the West Midlands, said: “We are incredibly proud of the work that has gone into this development so far, beyond bricks and mortar, and it’s been great to see our teams collaborate with partners and getting behind the community action.
“For Morro, building homes and creating social value isn’t a box-ticking exercise; it’s about leaving a lasting legacy in the communities where we build. The Yardley Brook development is a prime example of how construction can drive social mobility, keep wealth in the local economy, and give people a genuine step up into a rewarding career.”
The site has prioritised inclusive employment by taking on its first candidate with lived experience of homelessness through the ‘Standing Tall’ initiative – a scheme Morro is expanding across its regional portfolio.
In addition, Morro staff have dedicated 185 hours to community interventions over the past year. This includes volunteering for the Birmingham Mission Christmas drive, supporting Birmingham Children’s Hospital’s ‘Magic Makers’, and raising £8,000 at a recent charity golf day.
Financial donations to local causes have topped £6,000, including a £5,000 contribution to refurbish changing blocks at a nearby local rugby club, alongside physical donations like eco-barriers provided to St John’s and St Peter’s Primary School.
Abdul Mozzamdar, head of social purpose at Morro Partnerships said: “To date, Morro has successfully supported 76 local people into employment, ensuring that project spending remains within the community. The team has already surpassed its £1.6 million target for local subcontractor spend set by Midland Heart, with six apprentices currently active on-site. Overall, we are on track to exceed £3.1 million in social value, which is an incredible achievement.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, who has invested more than £4.5m into the Yardley Brook scheme, said: “This development will change hundreds of lives for the better. Not only will it help tackle our region’s affordable housing crisis, but it will also help meet the other great challenge of our times – youth unemployment. There’s a building boom sweeping our region right now that’s powering new jobs, new homes and new opportunities. We must make sure local people, especially our young people, have the skills to get those jobs.
“That’s why, working with like-minded partners such as Morro, I’ve launched a £75m training package to give 12,000 people the construction skills needed to meet the industry’s soaring demand.”
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