Grosvenor Hart Homes picks Kirkby for third scheme

The Duke of Westminster’s social enterprise is to acquire a site in the town centre with permission for 53 apartments from McCarthy Stone.

Grosvenor Hart Homes, a for-profit registered provider that provides homes within “curated communities” for vulnerable people, plans to bring the Kirkby scheme forward as a 100% social rent development.

McCarthy Stone secured permission for a retirement living scheme on a former council-owned car park off St Chads Drive in 2024.

Grosvenor Hart Homes will acquire the scheme upon completion, adding to operation developments in Chester and Ellesmere Port, according to planning documents submitted to Knowsley Council.

Speaking to Place North West last year, Hart Homes set out a plan to develop 750 more homes across the North West, following the success of its 29-home Chester pilot. 

In Chester, the scheme is made up of residents from three groups: people such as care leavers in need of “transformational support”, people on the housing waiting list, and private market renters.

As part of its operations, Hart Homes offers vulnerable residents support and asks that private renters pitch in to help in exchange for discounted rents.

In Kirkby, around a quarter of residents will be from the group requiring support, with the balance of the homes operated as general needs social housing, according to a planning statement prepared by Cassidy + Ashton.

Grosvenor Hart Homes was approached for comment.