Russell Homes and Halton Housing have secured planning permission for the £14m development of 118 new homes in Widnes.
The mixed-tenure scheme will see the regeneration of a 7.2-acre former industrial site in Tan House Lane.
Work on the development is expected to begin in March, with the initial demolition and remediation of the site being followed by a 3.5-year construction programme.
The first homes would be ready for occupation by early 2019. It is the second large scheme Russell Homes will deliver in conjunction with social housing provider Halton Housing, as part of the regeneration of the Tan House Lane area.
The new project will provide Halton Housing with 16 properties for shared ownership, 15 rent-to-buy, 18 for private rent and 20 for open market sale. The remaining 49 will be sold by Russell Homes as the second phase of the successful Bower Brook Gardens development, which is located opposite, and sold out in under a year.
The first 185-home scheme began in early 2015 and has seen the handover of 133 properties to Halton Housing for rent, with another 10 shared ownership houses still under construction.
Russell Homes sold the remaining 42 on the open market as Bower Brook Gardens.
Daniel Kershaw, director of Russell Homes, said: “Together these two developments provide just over 300 much needed new homes for Halton, improving both the rental housing stock available, and giving many people the opportunity to buy for the very first time. Indeed 79 per cent of those who have already bought at Bower Brook Gardens were first time buyers and most made use of the government’s Help to Buy scheme.
“Working together with Halton Housing has allowed us to bring vacant sites back into use in the best way possible; creating good quality homes for local people. The homes we deliver for Halton Housing are of the same high standard as the private properties, and we believe this is an important element in creating a cohesive and sustainable community.”
Nicky Harris, development manager for Halton Housing, also welcomed the planning decision. She said: “We are investing heavily in building new homes for the people of Halton to help meet the current high demand, and I’m pleased this latest scheme now has the green light.
“This project will also allow us to continue the important work of regenerating these derelict industrial sites, totally transforming the area into an attractive and aspirational new residential community.”
The planning application was approved unanimously by Halton Borough Council’s planning committee. The vacant site was formerly the home of British Polythene Industries.
