New housing developments are making waves across Daresbury and nearby areas, capturing the interest of house hunters and addressing the growing demand for homes. The Daresbury Garden Village, under construction by Redrow, is attracting attention for its prime location and extensive offerings.
Situated on a sprawling 120-acre site, Daresbury Garden Village promises to provide around 800 new properties. According to Anna Evans-Kerr, sales director at Redrow NW, this development is growing increasingly popular with commuters, particularly those working in Warrington, Manchester, and Liverpool. Evans-Kerr explains, "Daresbury Garden Village has been popular for several reasons—one being how easy it is for residents to connect to the wider region. It allows homeowners to enjoy living on the doorstep of the Cheshire countryside, but when Monday rolls around, they are still close to major employment hubs.”
The strategic placement of this development off the A56, just minutes from junction 11 of the M56, facilitates easy access to major motorways, proving advantageous for residents commuting to work. Travelers can reach Warrington town centre and Bank Quay Station, which offers rail connections to London and Edinburgh, within 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Warrington Central Train Station, less than 20 minutes away, connects to pivotal hubs such as Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool Lime Street.
The latest phase of this thriving project is Keckwick Park, which is currently on sale. This phase includes three- and four-bedroom homes accessible through a new entrance along Delph Lane and will eventually comprise 335 properties. Pricing starts at £334,000 for three-bed homes, jumping to £432,000 for four-bedroom options.
Alongside Daresbury Garden Village, another significant housing project is under consideration. Plans have been proposed for 136 new homes on farmland located at Preston-on-the-Hill, contingent on approval by Halton Council’s development management committee. This proposal will see the construction of various properties, including two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom detached houses, on 17 acres of greenfield land.
Notably, the development includes plans for 25 percent of the homes to be designated as 'affordable'—a mix of social housing and homes sold through the government’s ‘first homes’ scheme, allowing for discounts of at least 30 percent.
This parcel of land was previously part of Halton's green belt—critical areas designated to prevent overdevelopment in rural settings. Yet, it was re-designated for housing following Halton Council's updated strategic planning guidelines adopted last year.
The committee is set to convene next Tuesday, where they will review the application from Morris Homes. Public responses have been received, with some local residents objecting to the proposed development's density. A total of 43 representations included 29 objections concerning potential overcrowding and its impact on the adjoining properties.
Despite the objections, the council's report acknowledged, “The scheme, though providing for a lower number of dwellings than the theoretical capacity outlined within planning policy, has been reduced based on the scheme as originally submitted.” This suggests the developers have considered local frustrations, adjusting their plans to alleviate density concerns.
To address expected noise from the nearby M56, which may affect new residents, the proposal also includes plans for a significant acoustic bund along the site’s boundary with the motorway. The council’s report praised the amended proposal, confirming, "The amended development proposal is a well-designed housing scheme with good quality architectural design. The applicant has chosen a collection of house types well suited to one another and the site layout."
The impending approval for the housing estate at Preston-on-the-Hill could signal positive movement toward fulfilling local housing demands and enhancing community options. Given the previously protected status of the land, this transition not only highlights the changing needs of the community but also showcases the council’s commitment to providing fresh housing opportunities.
These developments, including Daresbury Garden Village and the potential estate at Preston-on-the-Hill, embody the pressing need for new housing solutions amid the challenges of accessibility, affordability, and environmental stewardship. The real estate market keeps changing, and with it, Daresbury and its neighboring areas could see significant transformations on the horizon as new homes are constructed to meet local demands.