WORK will soon start on a £75 million housing development in Sandymoor.

Regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships has completed a deal with government housing agency Homes England to acquire the site.

The deal comes after planning permission from Halton Council was approved in 2019 for the development of 235 houses and 100 extra-care apartments on the land and, now that an agreement has been reached, the developer can look towards starting work on site.

Vistry Partnerships’ managing director for the north west Ian Hilliker 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 first-time buyers, growing families, elderly residents and will be a huge boost to the area.”

In April 2019, Homes England selected Vistry Partnerships as its preferred delivery partner for the Sandymoor project, as well as three other key sites across the UK.

Stephen Kinsella, chief land and development officer at Homes England, 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 Partnerships announced last year that it would be delivering the scheme alongside their Joint Venture partner, Together Housing. Under this deal, the two partners will deliver a mix of 235 homes, split between two, three, and four-bed properties which will be available for open market sale via Vistry Partnership’s housebuilding arm, Linden Homes.

As well as the new homes, Vistry Partnerships will also build a 100-apartment extra care facility which will be owned and managed by Halton Housing. The retirement scheme will include one and two-bedroom properties whilst a bistro and multi-use room will be open to the public as well as residents.

The development also includes play areas, a bridleway, and cycling routes, and construction is due to start on site later in the year with the residential properties delivered in phases.

Vistry Partnerships is a major contractor partner for some of the largest developing housing associations, and also acts as a developer, bringing together private and public organisations to create award-winning schemes that help build sustainable communities.

The entire project is expected to be completed by 2024.