Affordable homes to meet rural demand

Proposals for a £1m development to bring affordable homes to the village of Acton in Cheshire have been submitted to planners.

Affordable housing developer, Mulbury Homes, has applied to build the properties on 39,000 sq ft plot of land at Chester Road on behalf of Muir Group Housing Association, which is working with Cheshire East Council.

The development site is a greenfield sire, utilised as low grade agricultural land.

If given the green light, the 14 semi-detached properties would consist of a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes built to level three of the government's Code for Sustainable Homes.

Subject to planning, construction work could begin in March 2013 and will take12 months to complete. Once finished the properties will be made available for affordable rent or shared ownership.

The proposals include highways improvements, the reinstatement of the public footpath, and parking facilities with a pick-up and drop off point for Acton Primary School.
A public consultation was carried out in October.

Greg Mulligan, a director at Mulbury Homes, said: "We've listened to the local community about what they want and need in this area and have worked hard to make sure this development meets those desires.

"This scheme is not just about providing new affordable, energy efficient homes where there is need, it's also about bringing wider benefits to the broader community, such as the provision for better road safety."

David Robinson, director of development for Muir Group Housing Association in Cheshire, said: "We have a great deal of experience in providing homes in rural communities and are excited about the prospect of building much needed affordable homes in Acton in partnership with Mulbury Homes."

The architect on the project is Eden Building Design.