Autumn start for £66m Basford East  

Lane End Group has exchanged contracts with Onward Homes to deliver 447 houses at Basford East in Crewe.

The site has outline permission for 490 homes, and Lane End, working with architect PRP and landscape architect Urban Green, has put forward initial designs to deliver nearly 450 houses on the site to the east of David Whitby Way, to be brought forward on a phased basis. The outline application also includes provision for a 22,000 sq ft primary school.

Onward Homes has bought the freehold of the land from Lane End. Under the terms of the sale, Lane End will act as contractor, starting with an initial phase of 22 homes. The majority of the homes at the site will be for outright sale with a 56 set aside for rent and shared ownership. There will be a mix of apartments and houses.

Construction is due to begin in the third quarter of this year. The first houses are set to be completed and ready for sale by December 2020.

Richard Harrison, Lane End Group managing director, said: “This is a significant scheme and message of intent to deliver much-needed housing in Crewe.

“We know this is a priority area for Cheshire East Council for both employment and housing growth within the Authority’s area and we look forward to playing our part in providing development, regeneration and infrastructure needs.”

Sandy Livingstone, Onward Homes executive director of property, said: “Agreeing this scheme with the Lane End Group is a real statement of intent from Onward Homes to the industry and further outlines our commitment to delivering affordable homes.

“This flagship scheme will improve housing choice in the Basford area and help to meet the growing demand for new homes. The commitment made by Onward Homes and Lane End to develop this site will help to improve the wider economic growth aspirations of Cheshire East in the Crewe and Basford area.”