Brickworks site homes ‘on sale next year’
A HOUSEBUILDER has revealed that the first of 212 new homes due to be built in Hesketh Bank will be on sale from early next year.
Persimmon Homes is to redevelop the former Alty’s Brickworks on Station Road, transforming the brownfield site into “an aspirational collection of family homes”.
Diane Finch, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Lancashire, said: “Our new development, Douglas Gardens, will provide a range of much-needed homes for the local community, from two bedroom apartments to five bedroom houses.
“Twenty per cent of the properties will be affordable homes for low cost home ownership.
“The development has been sensitively planned to reflect the surrounding environment and includes pedestrian links, safe open spaces and an attractive sense of place.”
The site is being developed in two halves – one on the former brick works and one on adjacent fields.
Both parts run down towards the River Douglas and provide the first portion of West Lancashire District Council’s planned linear park, which will run along this length of the river. The West Lancashire Light Railway, that operates on the adjacent site, will continue to operate as normal, with access to be provided via the new adopted roads on site.
Ms Finch added: “Ecological protection requirements have delayed the start of work while we awaited the necessary licences, and there is a considerable amount of demolition required before construction can get under way.
“However, we are hopeful that work will commence very soon to enable the first homes to be released for sale early 2019.”
But a number of local residents are concerned over the impact that the new development could have on their village.
Helen Markendale said: “There aren’t just grumbles about ‘more bloody houses’ but a very genuine concern for the village.”
Louise Markendale said: “Hesketh Bank has one convenience store which ...doesn’t offer many items needed.
“It has two takeaways, a newsagents and two beauty salons.
“Hesketh Bank does not have a doctor’s or a dentist and the local schools are full to capacity.
“On top of that, Hesketh Lane has recently been named one of West Lancashire’s most dangerous roads.
“On top of that, it’s one road in, one road out of the village. What if something happens?”
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