Stewart Milne snaps up 35 acres in Congleton 

The housebuilder has acquired the site from Ainscough Strategic Land and plans to redevelop it into 178 homes. 

The plot acquired by Stewart Milne Homes forms part of a 60-acre development site known as Somerford Green with the potential for 275 houses overall. 

Ainscough won permission from Cheshire East Council for the wider scheme in 2017 and then obtained detailed consent for the first phase last November, before selling the plot to Stewart Milne. 

The housebuilder’s scheme, located between Congleton town centre and Radnor Wood, will be known as Astbury Green. Work is expected to start on site this month. 

The project will feature a mix of two-, three- four- and five-bedroom homes. 32 of the properties will be designated as affordable. The first tranche of homes are expected to complete before the end of the year. 

Paul Challinor, managing director at Stewart Milne Homes, said: “The acquisition of the Congleton site marks a significant milestone in our vision to create a vibrant new community which has been designed with our ‘people-shaped places’ approach.  

“We have worked closely with Cheshire East Council and a number of local stakeholders to arrive at the final masterplan and we’re very much looking forward to bringing the local community on the journey with us as Stewart Milne Homes further cements its position as a premium housebuilder in the North West.” 

Squire Patton Boggs advised Ainscough on the transaction and Browne Jacobson advised Stewart Milne Homes.  

Broadbent Consulting was the land agent, Avison Young is the planning consultant and landowner’s agent.   

Ainscough is to bring the next nine-acre site, with permission for 100 homes, to market next month.  

An additional 15-acre chunk with consent for 250,000 sq ft of employment space will follow.