Bellway in line for third Alderley Park resi scheme

Housebuilder Bellway Homes has acquired a site within Alderley Park for £15m, with plans to build out around 50 houses, Place North West understands.

The deal would represent the third disposal for residential development at Alderley Park since Bruntwood and Manchester Science Partnerships took control of the site, historically home to AstraZeneca’s global R&D operation, in 2014. Plots have previously been sold off to PH Homes and PJ Livesey.

PH Homes acquired 13 acres and submitted plans for a £60m scheme comprising 74 high-end homes in January last year, with traditional architect Robert Adam designing its scheme.

In the same month, PJ Livesey, which has long prided itself on its work in heritage environments, proposed 57 properties – a statement apartment building by Feilden Clegg Bradley with 23 units facing the park’s water garden, along with 17 mews houses within grade two-listed buildings around a courtyard and 17 townhouses in an extension to the upper courtyard. Bellway’s purchase looks likely to meet requirements to provide a more accessible level of housing.

The commercial operations at the park have also been successful, with key local employer Royal London agreeing in the autumn of last year to relocate its headquarters from Wilmslow to the 100,000 sq ft Parklands building.

The intention of Bruntwood and MSP has always been to fund the development of tech and science space at Alderley Park through residential sales and the disposal of Parklands for conventional office use. Alderley Park as a whole comprises 400 acres, with 1.5m sq ft of offices and lab space.

A spokesperson for Bruntwood said: “We do not comment on market speculation.”  Bellway was also approached for comment.