Sandymoor scheme will create 100 independent living properties

Regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has been selected to build a 100-bed independent living scheme in Sandymoor, Runcorn.

Construction is due to begin soon, with the developers set to build a vibrant mix of one- and two-bedroom properties on behalf of Halton Housing which will own and run the facility once complete.

The specialist apartments, located east of Village Street, will feature a range of contemporary facilities including a bistro and multi-function room, available to residents and the wider community.

Terms have now been agreed and the contracts are set to be signed in the next couple of days.

Following appointment, Vistry Partnerships managing director for the North West, Ian Hilliker, said: “We are delighted to be working with Halton Housing on their Sandymoor scheme. The 100 specialist apartments will transform the supply of housing for older residents living in Runcorn, and it will be a huge boost for the area.”

Earlier in the year, Halton Housing, which has more than 7,000 homes across Runcorn and Widnes, ran a company-wide naming competition for the scheme.

A variety of names were suggested, and now the facility is set to be called ‘Hazlehurst’ after local businessman Thomas Hazlehurst who founded soap and alkali manufacturing company, Hazlehurst & Sons in 1816.

Paul Mullane, director of development and growth from Halton Housing, said: “We’re delighted to see the building work begin on our long-awaited scheme at Sandymoor in Runcorn.

“Providing a good number of quality homes for those in later life, whilst also contributing to the wider community is what attracted us to the development, as part of our mission to improving people’s lives.”

The Sandymoor scheme forms part of the wider regeneration plans for the site, with Vistry Partnerships scheduled to build 235 houses with Together Housing.

Under this deal, the two partners will deliver a range of homes, split between two-, three-, and four-bed properties which will be available for open market sale through Vistry Partnerships’ housebuilding arm, Linden Homes.

The flagship project was first brought to fruition in April 2019, when Homes England selected Vistry Partnerships as its preferred delivery partner for the Sandymoor scheme, as well as three other key sites across the UK.

Following this, Vistry Partnerships, alongside Halton Housing and Together Housing, acquired the site in June 2020.

The development of the Sandymoor site is due for completion in 2024.