Onward’s 215 affordable homes in Helsby back on track

Countryside Partnerships is now working with the housing association on the project, which had stalled after the previous delivery partner, Lane End Developments Construction, went into administration last year.

Onward Homes and Lane End had secured planning permission for the 17-acre site off Chester Road in November 2021. Work was well underway when Lane End collapsed in April 2023 after being unable to recover from pandemic-related delays and supply cost increases.

Now that Countryside Partnerships has been brought on board, work on the 215 homes in Helsby is set to restart soon. Onward is optimistic the scheme will be ready for residents in 2025.

The development, known as Pavilion Park, is supported by Homes England. It comprises 85 affordable rent homes, 100 for shared ownership, and 30 for rent-to-buy properties. The homes have between two and four bedrooms.

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Countryside Partnerships on our Pavilion Park development in Helsby,” said Sandy Livingstone, executive director of property at Onward.

“As a national housebuilder we’ve worked with in the past, Countryside shares our commitment to improving the quality and choice of homes across the region.”

Livingstone added later: “These modern homes will not only help local people put down roots more affordably, they will also be more efficient and affordable to run over the long term…

“We also look forward to supporting local people, supply chains, and economies through new employment and training opportunities – both during the construction phase and beyond.”

Mike Amesbury, the MP for the area, was among the first to share the news about the new development partner.

“It’s good news that we’re finally seeing progress,” Amesbury said. “It was a crying shame when the previous contractor went into administration. The country needs housing, particularly affordable housing.”