Firm acquires land for homes
A BUILDING firm has struck a deal to acquire land in Runcorn for the construction of a housing development worth an estimated £75m.
Vistry Partnerships is buying the plot from Homes England after Halton Borough Council granted planning permission in 2019 for 235 houses and 100 extra care apartments.
The firm said the Hatters Chase project is expected to be completed by around 2024.
A Vistry spokesman said Homes England picked Vistry as its preferred bidder for the project in April 2019, and the company soon announced it would undertake the scheme alongside joint venture partner Together Housing.
Under the deal, the firms will build 235 two, three and four-bed homes to be made available for open sale.
The 100-apartment extra care facility will have one and two-bed properties, and will be managed by Halton Housing as a retirement scheme, also featuring a bistro and multi-use room to be open to the public.
Other features include play areas, a bridleway, and cycling routes.
The project had met opposition from residents who feared the extra care facility would dominate the landscape and was too tall, and that access to Sandymoor Community Hall would be hindered.
Construction is due to start later this year.
Ian Hilliker, Vistry Partnerships’ North West managing director, said: “This acquisition is great news for Vistry Partnerships and we are delighted to have acquired this site from Homes England.
“The Hatters Chase development in Sandymoor will provide new homes for firsttime buyers, growing families, elderly residents and will be a huge boost to the local area.”
Stephen Kinsella, Homes England chief land and development officer, said: “At Homes England, we’re continuing to support ambitious partners who share our aim of delivering much-needed new homes.
“While the housebuilding industry is facing a challenging time, it’s vital that we continue to work with partners to create development opportunities like this to help the sector recover.”
Vistry is the former development arm of Galliford Try, which was the company that gained planning permission for the scheme.