Warrington Borough Council’s housing firms set up to boost affordable and social housing in the town are set to receive £1.8 million to accelerate construction work.
The council has created two companies to generate income and deliver around 500 properties in the coming years.
The council is the sole shareholder of Incrementum Housing Development Company Ltd, the development firm, and Incrementum Housing Management Company Ltd, the management firm.
The cabinet has approved the business cases for the developments at the first two sites – the former Fox Wood School site in Birchwood, on Chatfield Drive, and the former Sycamore Lane Community Primary School site in Great Sankey.
It is anticipated they will deliver around 150 new homes between them, while feasibility work has commenced on three further locations in the town.
Where the homes could be built
Where the homes could be built
It can also be revealed the housing firms have been successful, in principle, in securing £1.8 million of local authority accelerated construction (LAAC) funding from Homes England.
Full planning applications for the first two sites should be submitted in December 2019, with a view to commencing on site in June 2020 and the schemes planned to be completed by April 2022.
During the recent cabinet meeting, council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “I think it is crucial the council is able to deliver social and affordable housing again.
“We have had a lot of debate in the town around the local plan about delivering the number of houses that are needed in Warrington – of the right sort, in the right places and with the right standard in terms of affordability and accessibility, particularly for the disabled and the elderly.”
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, portfolio holder for housing, public health and wellbeing, added: “Not only should this create additional income for the council but it will also boost affordable housing in the town.”
Town Hall bosses confirmed the offer of the LAAC funding remains subject to final approval from Homes England.
A council spokesman added: “The homes will be delivered in accordance with the council’s emerging policy on affordable housing provision as set out in the draft local plan, policy DEV2, having regard also to the requirements of the national planning policy framework.
“Therefore, a minimum of 20 per cent/30 per cent of the new homes will be ‘affordable’, depending on the location of the site.
“The LAAC monies must be committed by March 2021 under the terms of the draft funding agreement.”
SOURCE:cheshire
