Planning permission was granted in March for the project, which involves the redevelopment of the former Foxfield School site off Douglas Drive. The site is one of six areas designated for housing development in Moreton and Woodchurch under Wirral Council’s Emerging Local Plan.
Over the next two years, Lovell will deliver a mix of terraced and semi-detached two and two-and-a-half storey affordable homes, with two-, three-, and four-bedrooms. A variety of tenures including shared ownership, affordable rent and Rent-to-Buy will be available through Onward.
Tahreen Shad, regional partnerships director at Lovell, said: “We are pleased to have started work so soon after receiving a planning decision. The site has been vacant for some time, after the school relocated in 2015 and the old site was demolished in 2018, so this project will really give the area a new lease of life.
“This project also builds on our 15-year-long partnership with Wirral Council, helping to unlock important sites such as this one to provide much-needed affordable homes. The plans include a range of sustainable design measures such as high-performing insulation and low-energy fittings. We are also keen to prioritise a vibrant and cohesive green environment for residents.”
Funding for the project has been delivered through Onward’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England, which will support the housing association to build 5,000 new homes by 2030.
Sandy Livingstone, executive director (property) at Onward, said: “We are excited to begin our latest affordable development in the Wirral, and to be partnering with Lovell for the first time.
“The development provides much needed homes that are affordable for our customers in the Wirral. As well as providing more quality, choice and affordability for those who rent, these new homes will also help more people take their first steps on the local property ladder, through our affordable home ownership tenures.”
This scheme follows the completion of Lovell Partnerships multi-million-pound regeneration of the former Fiveways estate in Rockferry, delivering 283 homes in partnership with Wirral Council and Riverside, with the final handover taking place in December 2023.
It also builds on the success of the Fountain Court development in Tranmere, consisting of 75 homes; a Market Housing Renewal site delivered in collaboration with Wirral Council.
