Deal to create 335 homes on Merseyside site
Regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships will create 335 new homes in Halton following the sale of the land by Homes England.
The Government’s housing agency has contracted Vistry to develop 11 hecates of land at Sandymoor.
The scheme will provide a range of housing types, including two-, three- and four-bedroom houses for market sale and affordable homes in a 100- apartment extra care scheme, to be delivered in partnership with Halton Housing Trust.
As well as using its land capabilities to bring the site forward for development, the agency also flexed its investment muscles and utilised a grant from the Affordable Housing programme to support the delivery of affordable housing in excess of what is required by the planning authority.
The wider 50-hectare Sandymoor site has capacity for up to 1,500 homes, where the agency has invested in infrastructure to bring the site forward for development in phases, with land with capacity for more than 550 homes having already been sold to Morris Homes, Barratt David Wilson and Bloor Homes.
Alongside new homes, the site already accommodates a new secondary school and work is anticipated to start next year on the development of a new local centre to meet the needs of residents.
Homes England is now working to secure planning permission for the Southern phases of Sandymoor and Wharford Farm, to bring forward further new homes.
The deal was part of another scheme between Homes England and Vistry Partnerships near Kidderminster, which will lead to 600 new homes.
Stephen Kinsella, chief land and development officer at Homes England, said: “These deals demonstrate that we’re continuing to support ambitious partners who share our aim of delivering much-needed new homes.
“While the housebuilding industry is facing a challenging time, it’s vital that we continue to work with partners to create development opportunities like this to help the sector recover.
“At both sites we’re delivering more affordable homes than were required.”
Stephen Teagle, chief executive of Vistry Partnerships, which has a regional office in Warrington, said: “We are very pleased to once again be working in partnership with Homes England to transform these two important sites.
“These vital developments will provide a range of new affordable homes, enhance the existing landscape and boost economic growth.
“They also increase the number of homes that we are currently delivering on Homes England’s sites to over 3,000, exemplifying our reputation as a leading partnerships organisation.”
He added: “Vistry Partnerships is absolutely committed to delivering quality homes to help support the UK economy as we begin our recovery and we already have more than 5,000 people working safely on 74 contracting sites and 34 mixed tenure sites across the UK.”
Housing Minister Chris Pincher said: “Building the homes we need is central to the mission of this government, which is why we have safely reopened the housing market.
“This announcement is a real statement of intent for Halton and Kidderminster, delivering nearly 1,000 homes and new neighbourhoods to be proud of – including plans for community centres and a new school.”
