Greater Manchester & Cheshire
Onward set to deliver on ambitious growth plans after securing ‘biggest site yet’
Leading North West housing provider Onward has announced plans to step up its development output across the region after agreeing to buy a 447-home site in Crewe, Cheshire.
Onward has recently ramped up its development activity, with over 1,000 new homes already in the pipeline. And now they have confirmed ambitious plans to deliver 400 homes a year throughout the North West from 2022.
This latest development in Crewe is set to be Onward’s biggest to date after exchanging contracts on the 22-hectare site, on which it plans to deliver 323 homes for outright sale and 124 homes for affordable rent and shared ownership.
The development, located in Basford East, approximately one mile south of Crewe, will have a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.
The scheme has been brought forward in partnership with Cheshire-based Lane End Group, with work set to begin at the end of this year. The first homes should be completed and ready for sale by 2021.
The site contributes to Cheshire East’s strategic development plan along the A500 corridor, and will provide much-needed affordable and market sale properties as part of the wider Basford masterplan, which also includes office space, a local community centre and a new primary school.
Sandy Livingstone, executive director of property at Onward, said: “We have ambitious plans to deliver 400 new homes across the North West each year, focusing on areas where we know we can make a real difference.
“Agreeing this flagship scheme with the Lane End Group is a real statement of intent from Onward, and outlines our commitment to delivering affordable homes where they are needed most.
“We’re confident that this development will not only improve housing choice in Basford and meet the growing demand for new homes in the area, but also help support the wider economic growth aspirations of Cheshire East.”
Richard Harrison, Lane End Group managing director, added: “This is a significant scheme and message of intent to deliver much-needed housing in Crewe.
“We know this is a priority area for Cheshire East Council for both employment and housing growth within the Authority’s area and we look forward to playing our part in providing development, regeneration and infrastructure needs.
“Lane End’s Basford East site is another example of the organic growth of our business and we’re delighted to partner with Onward as we look to assist in the regeneration and encourage growth and investment into Crewe.”