£47m development is first council housing scheme for 40 years
PLANS for a £47m development in the Cheshire town of Winsford including the first local authority housing in the borough for more than 40 years have been approved.
Cheshire West and Chester Council has given the green light for the pioneering Woodford Grange housing development at the site of the former Woodford Lodge High School.
Developer Keepmoat will deliver 401 new homes on the 30-acre brownfield site off Woodford Lane West, where home hunters and first time buyers will now have access to a collection of two, three and four bedroom properties under the government backed Help to Buy scheme.
There will be 130 affordable properties built on behalf of the council.
A green corridor and a small central village garden will be created at the heart of the development. In addition significant investment will be made in outdoor play facilities at Hebden Green and Oakland schools and a state of the art 3G pitch at Winsford Academy.
Prior to submitting plans, Keepmoat hosted a public consultation event at Hebden Green Community School to hear any concerns and include local input.
Gareth Roberts, regional managing director for Keepmoat in the North West, said: “Working in partnership with the Council, we have identified key ways to regenerate a surplus piece of land and really invest in Winsford while creating housing solutions – particularly for first time buyers.
“This major new scheme will also create new job opportunities, which supports the Council’s aspirations for Winsford. We’re delighted that this shared vision for Woodford Grange has been given the go ahead and we look forward to getting on site.”
Cllr Angela Claydon, Cheshire West and Chester Council cabinet member for housing, said: “This is really good news for Winsford. The partnership will provide a true mix of properties including 130 homes built for the Council which will give people a real choice from a range of new build homes.”
Work is anticipated to start on site this month, where interested buyers will have the option of purchasing off plan.
