Habiko up and running with maiden approval
The affordable homes consortium has been given the green light for 240 flats on the former DW Sports site in Warrington, the first of a planned 3,000 homes over the next 12 years.
Habiko, the joint venture between Muse, PIC, and Homes England, had its plans for two six-storey blocks on 1.5 acres of authority-owned land south of Academy Way and Time Square approved by Warrington Council last night.
All 240 flats – 162 with one-bedroom and 78 with two -cwould be offered up on tenures not exceeding Local Housing Allowance rates or at least 20% below local market rent.
Sarah Chicken, senior development manager at Muse, said: “Habiko’s commitment to Academy Way will bring high quality, affordable homes to Warrington in an area with growing demand.
“We’re pleased that we can create a neighbourhood that makes a positive contribution to the local community, bringing green space and a strong sense of place for residents to enjoy and feel connected to.”
Other Habiko developments in works that are awaiting planning approval include 228 homes in Solihull and 350 in Chester. Habiko is also understood to be working up plans for around 300 homes in Liverpool.
AHR is the architect for the Warrington scheme and Stantec is the planning consultant.
The professional team also features landscape architect Gillespies, project manager Hive Projects, cost consultant Abacus, building services engineer Hannan Associates, structural engineer Curtins, Design Fire Consultants, and Rappor providing air quality consultancy.
To learn more, search for reference number 2026/00196/FULM on Warrington Council’s planning portal.
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How was this partnership procured? And when and how did the Council agree the disposal? Did they achieve best value? Didnt ever see the land come to market or any Cabinet decision to dispose.
By Top Cat
Great extension to the Muse-led Time Square redevelopment adjacent. Cineworld will be pleased.
By Wolfie
Top Cat – best value was achieved by designing unviable schemes and asking HE and other public bodies for grant. Muse then take their 10%. Some model!
By Anon
How should that much public money via grant go into a development which is still making 8% profit for the developer, particularly if the exit is basically guaranteed to an RP?!?
By Anonymous