Reapproval Granted for 240 Affordable Homes in Warrington, UK

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 15, Warrington Borough Council reapproved Habiko's 240-unit affordable housing development on Academy Way in the town centre, removing certain planning obligations attached to the previous approval and clearing procedural obstacles for the project to secure £38 million in funding from Homes England. The project is proposed for the former DW Sports site and comprises two six-storey residential buildings, all dedicated to affordable rental housing, developed by Habiko, a joint venture formed by Muse, Homes England and Pension Insurance Corporation.

The project first received planning approval in May 2026, at which time the approval required the developer to sign an agreement under Section 106 of the UK's Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to ensure 20% of the homes were provided as affordable housing. Homes England subsequently clarified that this arrangement was incompatible with its capital funding rules and that grant funding could not be duplicated for the portion of homes locked in by this legal obligation. Warrington Borough Council's Development Management Committee therefore reconsidered the project and adjusted the approval conditions so that the entire residential development could apply for housing funding.

The site covers approximately 1.5 acres on council-owned land near Academy Way and Times Square. The two residential buildings, designed by AHR Architects, comprise 162 one-bedroom apartments and 78 two-bedroom apartments, with rents no higher than the Local Housing Allowance rate or at least 20% below local market rents. The project also includes a central landscaped courtyard, with landscape design by Gillespies.

The project team includes Hive Projects for project management, Abacus for cost consultancy, Hannan Associates for mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy, and Curtins for structural engineering consultancy. Habiko stated that it will continue to advance the Academy Way project and will subsequently confirm the registered provider responsible for owning and managing the homes.