Work is underway on a 268-home development in Winsford, part of Riverside’s ongoing commitment to provide affordable homes for local people.
The development, located behind the Verdin Exchange, is being delivered in partnership with QWEST, which is a joint venture between EQUANS and Cheshire West and Chester Council.
Riverside will deliver 100 affordable homes (of the 268 total) with funding from our strategic partnership with Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency. The development is to be known as “The Woodlands”.
The development will see much needed one, two, three and four-bedroom homes constructed across 17 acres just north of Winsford town centre. Homes will be made available for open market sale, shared ownership and affordable rent tenures.
The Verdin Exchange scheme will also include several features designed to optimise sustainability across each plot, with an energy strategy that includes the use of enhanced building fabrics, highly efficient heating systems and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels.
New ponds, ecological corridors, public open spaces and seven new grass playing pitches will also be included in the scheme, as well as a new footpath that will link to wider areas of Winsford.
Helen Reddington, Director of Home Ownership at Riverside, said:
“Riverside is delighted to have played a part in bringing these exciting new homes to Winsford. It will be one of our first developments featuring the new shared ownership product, which allows homebuyers to buy a share in a new home from as little as 10% of the open market value.
“We are also offering homes through our popular Rent to Buy option, which allows homebuyers to move into a new home now with a low rent so they can save a deposit to buy in the future. Rising house prices is a major barrier to home ownership and our homes will provide an affordable way to buy a home for lots of people.”
Steven Gregory, Construction Director at EQUANS, said:
“Our partnership with QWEST is already supporting the transformation of the area, with the Wharton Green housing development already progressing well.
“It’s great to have now broken ground on our second housing scheme with QWEST, which will see more much-needed affordable housing built that also meets the council’s sustainability needs. Focussing on carbon net-zero is at the heart of what EQUANS does and using modern construction methods we can help our clients reach their goals.”
Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning & Climate Emergency, said:
“It’s fantastic to see work starting on site to build these energy efficient homes which will benefit local residents and families. Providing homes with enhanced insulation and efficient heating systems will help to reduce energy consumption, minimise carbon emissions and help to lower household bills.”