Proposals for phase 1 of a brand new £20.7m housing development from profit-for-purpose developer Laurus Homes, which includes affordable housing, have been approved for Skelmersdale.

Part of THT and L&Q Developments LLP, Laurus Homes will offer 120 two, three and four bedroom homes at Whalleys Road, Whalleys South. 36 will be a mix of Shared Ownership and affordable rent and 84 will be for outright sale. 15 will also be adaptable homes for the elderly.

THT and L&Q Developments LLP won Homes England’s competitive tender for the development of the site, based on the north side of Skelmersdale, and has partnered with Seddon Construction on site construction and Turley as planning consultants. Phase 1 is the first part of the overall £49m development, which will be for 299 homes in total.

Graeme Scott, development director at Trafford Housing Trust, said:

“The development of this site is key to the regeneration of Skelmersdale, improving housing choice in the area and wider economic growth ambitions for West Lancashire.”

“Whalleys South is a sign of our commitment to partnership working as Laurus Homes, part of new JV THT and L&Q Developments LLP and we are proud of our innovative development model, which sees us reinvest all profits into providing more new homes and supporting wider social purpose initiatives.”

The semi-rural site is adjacent to Parbold, Dalton and Newburgh and offers easy access to both Manchester and Liverpool city regions. The shortfall of housing in Skelmersdale has been identified as a potential cause of slow population growth over the past ten years, with affordability remaining a challenge for first time buyers.

Jenny Fryer, planner at Turley, said:

“We are very pleased to have been part of the project team which has secured reserved matters approval for this site which forms part of a strategic residential site in Skelmersdale. The development will help meet demand for housing in the area and will contribute positively to the regeneration of the town.”

Michael Orgill, land and partnerships director at Seddon, said:

“We are delighted to be working with THT and L&Q Developments on this project. The partnering approach that has been adopted has allowed us to achieve a planning consent for what will be great mixed tenure scheme.  Since the early stages of the bid everyone has had a focus on delivering a scheme that addresses housing need at all levels, creates opportunities for local people and businesses, and delivers a scheme of architectural merit that creates a community and environment for the residents to thrive.”

Nicola Elsworth, head of Public Sector Land at Homes England, said:

“I am delighted that the Whalleys 2 site has now secured reserved matters planning consent. Through Homes England’s comprehensive approach to market engagement and de-risking of this site, we have accelerated housing delivery at this important site for West Lancashire. This is an excellent example of partnership working with the developer and the Council and we look forward to the start on site.”

Work on phase one is expected to start in Summer 2019, with homes released for sale in 2020.

For more information about Laurus Homes, visit www.laurushomes.co.uk