Approval for housing at Widnes BPI site

Russell Homes and Halton Housing have secured planning permission for the development of 118 homes on a 7.2-acre former industrial site in Tan House Lane, Widnes.

Work on the £14m development is expected to begin in March, with demolition and remediation works at the former British Polythene Industries site being followed by a construction progamme expected to take three and a half years in total. The first homes are expected to be ready for occupation by early 2019.

This is the second project Russell Homes will deliver in conjunction with social housing provider Halton Housing as part of the regeneration of the Tan House Lane area.

Within its scope, Halton Housing will provide 16 properties for shared ownership, 15 rent-to-buy, 18 for private rent and 20 for open market sale. The remaining 49 will be sold by Russell Homes as the second phase of the Bower Brook Gardens development, located opposite the site, which sold out in less than a year.

This 185-home scheme began in early 2015 and has seen the handover of 133 properties to Halton Housing for rent, with another 10 shared ownership houses still under construction. Russell Homes sold the remaining 42 on the open market as Bower Brook Gardens.

Daniel Kershaw, director of Russell Homes, said: “Together these two developments provide just over 300 much-needed new homes for Halton, improving both the rental housing stock available, and giving many people the opportunity to buy for the very first time. Indeed 79% of those who have already bought at Bower Brook Gardens were first time buyers and most made use of the government’s Help to Buy scheme.

“Working together with Halton Housing has allowed us to bring vacant sites back into use in the best way possible; creating good quality homes for local people. The homes we deliver for Halton Housing are of the same high standard as the private properties, and we believe this is an important element in creating a cohesive and sustainable community.”

Nicky Harris, development manager for Halton Housing, added: “This project will also allow us to continue the important work of regenerating these derelict industrial sites, totally transforming the area into an attractive and aspirational new residential community.”

The planning application was approved unanimously by Halton Borough Council’s planning committee.