We’ve exchanged contracts on a new site in Cowlishaw, between Royton and Shaw, Greater Manchester, with plans to build more than 200 new homes and create almost 500 jobs*.
It is the sixth site acquisition announced by our Lancashire division this year as we continue apace to expand our landholdings.
Our plans for the latest site, off Cocker Mill Lane in Cowlishaw, on the edge of Shaw, feature 205 new homes and five acres of green space, which will include a new orchard.
North of Oldham, the 25-acre development will overlook a neighbouring golf course and could create approximately 500 new jobs either directly in house building or indirectly in the supply chain. Figures are based on estimates by the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) for the number of jobs created for every new home built.
Claire Jarvis, managing director for Lancashire, said: “Our plan for Cowlishaw is for the creation of a sustainable and thriving new community that will leave a legacy for future generations. Designed around one of our key placemaking principles of ‘providing nature for people’, the development will include diverse habitats for local wildlife, as well as footpath access through neighbouring fields and woodlands so residents can take advantage of the landscape on their doorstep.
“The homes themselves will be detached and will have private gardens and driveways, which meet the changing priorities of home buyers post lockdown, and many properties will include solar panels.”
As part of the plans, we’re also proposing 20 two and three-bedroom affordable properties and will provide contributions to local education provision.
The site benefits from outline planning permission and we’ve just submitted a reserved matters planning application, which will be managed by planning consultants Ryan and May. We’re on track to complete the land purchase later this year.
Grasscroft Property acted as development manager and agent for the vendor, having previously led the team that successfully secured outline planning permission.
Proposals for private sale homes include a range of three to five-bedroom detached designs from our Arts and Crafts inspired Heritage Collection, ranging from 1,081 sq ft to 1,855 sq ft. A large balancing pond at the entrance will provide a haven for native wildlife and an attractive visual feature, together with a tree-lined boulevard through the centre of the development and lots of native planting throughout.
The development will follow two popular ventures in Oldham at Fox Meadows in Chadderton, which is almost complete, and the ongoing Saddleworth View, in Moorside.
Securing the Cowlishaw site follows close on the heels of land acquisitions in Lowton, also in Greater Manchester, Billington and Fulwood, in Lancashire and two sites in Halewood, Merseyside.
Claire added: “While we have made excellent progress towards our ambitious land acquisition targets for the year, announcing six sites so far, we are still keen to hear from landowners and agents in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, as well as parts of Cheshire and Merseyside.”
Cowlishaw is close to both the M60 and M62, making it convenient for commuters to nearby towns and cities, although many of our homes will also include flexible layouts that are adaptable for home working.
Subject to planning, work could begin on site early next year and the development is expected to take around four-and-a-half years to complete.
*According to a Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) report in 2015, the industry estimates every new home built creates 1.5 direct house building jobs plus 0.9 jobs in the supply chain, or 2.4 direct and supply-chain jobs
