Cheshire West gets £15m funding for six housing sites
Cheshire West & Chester Council has secured £14.7m from Homes England’s Accelerated Construction grant to support the delivery of six housing sites featuring around 700 homes.
The sites are split between Ellesmere Port, Winsford, and Chester, and at least 30% of these are earmarked as affordable. The sites are:
- The former Acorns Primary School and Rivacre Business Centre, both in Ellesmere Port
- The former Handley Hill School in Winsford
- Wharton Green, Winsford
- A site in Lache, Chester
- Land to the rear of Verdin Exchange, Winsford
The council said it would consult on each of the sites as plans are brought forward; all of the sites are to offer a mix of houses for sale, affordable rent, shared ownership, and some will include private-rented properties.
The sites will be built out in partnership with developers and housing associations.
Cllr Angela Claydon, cabinet member for housing said: “The Council’s housing strategy and corporate plan recognise the importance of good quality and affordable housing to meet the need of our diverse communities and also that housing is one of the basic needs to enable residents to live independent and healthy lives.
“This funding opportunity enables the Council to build upon its successful housing delivery programme, and will ensure the Council continues to be at the forefront of residential development in the borough for the next five years.
“The Council has already undertaken significant site evaluation on the sites to establish their suitability for development. This funding allows for work to begin, and will help to meet the housing needs of the borough.”
Other areas in the North West to benefit from Homes England’s Accelerated Construction initiative are Leyland, where Lovell is looking to build 200 homes on a 22-acre plot; and in South Warrington, where Barratt is to deliver 180 houses on a site off Pewterspear Green Road.
