A property development firm run by TV star Kevin McCloud is set to begin its first housing project.

Happiness Architecture Beauty (HAB) has revealed plans to build 150 homes in its home city of Bristol after the mayor announced a deal to develop an old primary school site.

Star of Channel 4’s Grand Designs and Chairman of HAB, Kevin, said the firm had been eager to win a project in Bristol since its move to the city.

“This scheme gives us the opportunity to work alongside local people and organisations and to partner with United Communities, whom we particularly admire,” said Kevin. 

“We're looking forward to working in Southmead and delivering something of quality, richness and sustainability for the area.”

One-third of the scheme will be affordable housing, which will be built to the equivalent of Passivhaus energy efficiency standards, and all the homes will meet level four of the Code of Sustainable Homes.

Mayor of Bristol, George Ferguson, added that the development will raise the bar in terms of sustainability and quality of design.

“The aim is for this to be a transformative housing scheme, one that drives a healthier way of living,” said George.

“We have worked really closely with the Southmead community throughout the process, and their ideas have been reflected strongly in the design.”

Oona Goldsworthy, Chief Executive of United Communities, said the housing association was thrilled to have won the bid to help redevelop the former primary school’s grounds.

“The 150 new homes here will help to tackle the affordable housing crisis in the city, by providing a mix of homes for sale, rent and shared ownership,” said Oona. 

“We’ve already starting talking to the local community about what the homes might look like and hope that existing and future residents will be really proud of the new development.”

A planning application for the scheme will be submitted by March 2016, and if all goes to plan, the redevelopment should be completed by March 2019.