Habiko announces Cheshire sites for first 590 homes

The affordable housing partnership, comprising Muse, Homes England, and Pension Insurance Corporation, has outlined its plans to bring forward its first batch of apartments in the North West.

Chester and Warrington are the first places to be considered for the 590 affordable rent homes due to their strategic growth potential.

Habiko is setting a minimum of 75% of the properties as affordable rent with an overall target of 100%.

Discounted market rents would be set at a minimum of 20% below market rate at both sites.

Over the next 12 years, the partnership could bring forward 3,000 affordable homes, adding £1bn in completed value.

Tenures for the affordable properties are to be set in conjunction with the relevant local authorities and housing demands.

Planning applications for both projects are due to be submitted later this year.

Charterhall Drive lies close to Chester train station and is currently surrounded by surface-level car parks. Credit: Google Earth

Charterhall Drive, Chester

A site adjacent to the city’s train station has been earmarked to host around 350 homes.

Architect Shedkm has drawn up early-stage scheme designs, which suggest several blocks exceeding seven storeys would house apartments.

The two schemes are effectively Habiko’s pilots. Credit: AHR Architects

Time Square, Warrington

A site adjacent to the Time Square district in central Warrington has been chosen for a 240-home apartment scheme.

The apartment blocks would be built on the plot between Academy Street and Mersey Street in Warrington’s town centre.

Proposals for the scheme have been developed alongside AHR Architects.

Muse has already been developing around the area. Time Square and the Warrington Market area of the town centre now hosts a 13-screen cinema, a 42,000 sq ft market hall, restaurants, council offices, shops and a public square.

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Hayley Rees, managing director of PIC Capital, said: “Following the successful launch of Habiko, announcing these first two projects emphasises the focus on our purpose: to deliver low carbon, low energy, affordable homes for rent at pace.

“This exemplifies the power of public-private partnership to help meet the UK’s affordable housing needs through innovative collaboration.”

Lisa Gledhill, managing director for national partnerships at Muse, added: “Habiko promises to deliver affordable homes for those who need it most.

“Chester and Warrington are great places to kickstart Habiko’s build programme. We look forward to working with PIC, Homes England, and the local communities to deliver greener and healthier places to live.”

Jennifer Murray, director of product, equity, and partnerships at Homes England, said: “The Habiko partnership brings together the market insight, capability, and expertise of its partners.

“The early identification of these sites is a testament to Muse’s experience in delivering and PIC’s commitment to investing in affordable housing at scale.

“The UK needs more affordable homes built to higher sustainability standards.

“Progressing these sites in Chester and Warrington demonstrates that this can be achieved.”