Galliford Try chief eyes more sites with newly-formed JV

Galliford Try Partnerships chief executive Stephen Teagle has said the recently announced joint venture with Trafford Housing Trust would be looking for more sites as it starts the consultation process on a £100m housing scheme in Partington.

The partners announced the formation of a joint venture to deliver nearly 600 homes at a site formerly owned by National Gride on Heath Farm Lane last week in a £100m deal. Speaking to Place North West, Teagle said it would be a “long-term” project.

“Our ambition is to spend six years on the scheme,” he said. “Consultation will be starting next year to give people an idea of what we want to do.”

Teagle said the formerly brownfield Partington site was an “ideal opportunity” as it is relatively flat and bordered by a tree belt at one end. The homes are to include a mix of tenures.

Around 500 of the homes will be made available for private sale under Galliford Try’s Linden Homes brand and Trafford Housing Trust’s brand Laurus Homes, with a further 74 homes available for shared ownership or affordable rent.

Subject to the consultation and planning approval, the development could start on site next year. Galliford Try Partnerships will act as project manager for the joint venture.

It will form part of an increased housing offer in the Carrington and Partington area, with fellow developer Himor planning to build 750 homes on the former Shell refinery.

Teagle said Galliford Try and Trafford Housing Trust would be “having conversations during the planning process” with Himor.

“We want [the Partington scheme] to be distinctive, but it will take account of the wider housing development in the area,” he said.

He added the Partington project was the first time Galliford Try Partnerships had co-invested in a mixed tenure scheme with a housing provider, and that the group would “definitely” look to secure other sites with Trafford Housing Trust.

“In four years’ time, we want to be doing two-and-a-half times what we’re doing now”, he said.

The company is working on a number of housing developments across the North West, including a 61-home scheme in Penwortham, Preston; and a £14.2m 105-apartment scheme on Princess Road in Manchester, which is scheduled to complete in summer 2019.

Galliford Try Partnerships has also worked on the new-build element of the overhaul of Manchester’s Brunswick estate, which has included the construction and refurbishment of 500 houses.