Two contractors picked for £150m Aster framework

Housebuilder Aster Group has appointed two contractors to a framework worth £150m.

Galliford Try Partnerships and Gloucester-based E G Carter have agreed a five-year deal to build up to 500 new homes each year across the south of England.

Aster is investing £1.5bn in new developments between now and 2024, and aims to construct more than 10,000 homes during the next seven years.

The group’s schemes are a mix of open-market sale, shared ownership, affordable and social-rented housing. It currently owns and maintains more than 28,000 homes.

Tony Clifford, assistant development director for construction and technical at Aster, said: “We are increasing the number of homes we build every year and our footprint continues to expand across the south of England.

“We have recognised that by working closely with the right number of contractors who share our vision we can build strong long-term partnerships that will support Aster in delivering more land-led opportunities over the coming years.

“These partnerships complement the delivery of our section 106 developments and support our vision that everyone deserves a home.”

Aster’s current pipeline includes 38 homes at a site in Hambleton Avenue in Devizes, Wiltshire and 36 homes to be built in Tadley, near Basingstoke.

The group is also preferred bidder to build 109 properties in the Bargates area of Christchurch, Dorset, and recently completed the 94-home Finn Square development in Weymouth, Dorset.