Regeneration developer, Cityheart and Plus Dane reached a milestone in the transformation of Foundry Lane in Halebank, Widnes, with the first homes being handed over to residents.
The handover marks the latest step in Halton Borough Council’s plans to transform more than 20 acres of former industrial land, including the old Stobart and Tarmac sites, into a new sustainable neighbourhood delivering much-needed housing for the local community.
Six homes, including shared ownership and social rent, have now been handed over, with the first phase of the development delivering a total of 63 two and three-bedroom homes.
Ellie Greatorex, Head of Growth for Plus Dane said: “This is the best part of building homes, when we get to hand them over to our customers. Phase 1 of Foundry Lane is progressing really well, and we are delighted to be handing keys over to our first customers on this development. The Foundry Lane masterplan is ambitious and exciting, and the vision will transform this former industrial site into a desirable place to call home.”
Cityheart is leading the regeneration of the site, working closely with Plus Dane and main contractor Watson Construction. Other key members of the project team include MM Management (Employers Agent) and architect Corstorphine & Wright.
The first phase forms part of a wider vision for Foundry Lane which aims to provide 360 new homes across the area, alongside new green spaces, landscaping and improved connections to Hale Road. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has awarded £6.2m from the Brownfield Land Fund towards the wider project to fund the homes.
Olivia Roche, Development Manager at Cityheart, said: “It is fantastic to see residents moving into their new homes at Foundry Lane. This development has been a testament to the strength of the public-private partnerships underpinning this regeneration. As partners we have overcome significant viability challenges to get to this stage and are excited to mark the beginning of the transformation of the site into a new community”.
The Foundry Lane regeneration is supported by funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Homes England which forms part of wider efforts to unlock challenging brownfield sites and deliver new homes across the region.
Cllr Paul Nolan, the Council’s Executive Board member for Environment, Housing and Regeneration, says: “This is a significant milestone in the regeneration of the long-derelict Foundry Lane site, and I’m delighted to see the first residents move into their new homes. The Foundry Lane scheme is providing a much-needed mix of high-quality affordable housing and on completion, a community of more than 300 homes will have been built on brownfield land.”
Cllr Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing and Strategic Planning, said: “It is great to see people start to move into these new homes and I am really pleased that the Combined Authority’s Brownfield Land fund has been able to support a large-scale development that will help to meet demand and revitalise the area.”
The scheme is one of a number of regeneration projects being delivered by Cityheart across the UK, with the developer working with public and private-sector partners to unlock challenging sites and create new, sustainable communities.
