First phase of Cowley Hill housing scheme sold as land disposal process begins

North West-based housing provider, Torus, has acquired the first phase of a major St Helens site which will deliver more than 1,000 new homes.

BXB Cowley Hill, the Liverpool-based joint venture between developer Promenade Estates and brownfield land specialist, BXB, has sold a 12-acre plot at its giant Cowley Hill site to Torus, for an undisclosed sum.

The plot currently has consent for 200 homes, a children’s play area and an acre of public space.

Gary Goodman, land and planning director for BXB, said: “The commencement of the enabling works for Phase 1, which will be completed shortly, was key in securing an end user for this plot.

“The team’s focus will now turn to securing detailed planning permission for the site’s new spine road and then delivering its construction, along with the associated infrastructure.

“From there, we plan to commence the site enabling works for Phases 2, 3 and 4 to facilitate their onward sale over the medium term.”

He added: “Given current market conditions and the end user build out rates, it’s likely to be more than five years before the site is delivered in full.

“We’re already in discussion with the market around its medium-term needs and to ensure that the phases we deliver meet house-builders’ technical requirements.”

Chris Bowen, Torus Developments managing director, said: “Torus has big ambitions for this section of the Cowley Hill site, which will see us create a modern, energy-efficient, affordable development that showcases, at scale, our ongoing commitment to investing in St Helens.

“As it stands, Cowley Hill is the biggest site we have ever entered into an agreement on in St Helens and I’m thrilled to have taken this first step in redeveloping Cowley Hill.”

He added: “This is the first partnership of many that will completely transform the area and Torus is excited to be at the forefront of a new era for Cowley Hill. We intend to develop this site alongside other new homes which we will build close to the site where we are currently demolishing poor condition, obsolete stock.”

Daniel Hynd, managing director of Promenade Estates, welcomed the sale as evidence that the company’s ‘brownfield first’ strategy was once again delivering for the market: “Regenerating brownfield land is a much more sustainable way of delivering on the nation’s housing needs and we’re delighted that, once again, we have demonstrated our ability to transform a tricky site for housing use.

“We remain on the lookout for similar large-scale opportunities and will bring the same expertise and foresight to bear when we find them.”

In 2023 BXB Cowley Hill secured a new 10MVA electrical substation on the site, in partnership with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, St Helens Council and SP Energy Networks.

The joint venture intends to retain the commercial element of the consent, which will be delivered once the housing sites have been sold.

Bermans and Hill Dickinson acted on behalf of BXB Cowley Hill Limited, alongside Northern Land Agency. Primus Law acted for Torus.