HOMES England are seeking to appoint a new developer for land in south Warrington.

The site in Grappenhall Heys, which was set to be controversially developed by House by Urban Splash, will receive a new developer appointed by Homes England. The land, green fields which are currently fenced off, is set to be marketed for sale soon.

Once a new developer is selected, they will be required to submit a new planning application to Warrington Borough Council.

The site for development is located to the south of Curzon Drive, east of Lichfield Avenue and west of Stansfield Drive.

Original outline permission for 950 homes in south Warrington, including 400 homes in Grappenhall Heys, was granted in 2017. In 2021, the 228-home House by Urban Splash development on this land was granted specific approval.

However, in May 2022 the plans were thrown into doubt when House by Urban Splash went into administration.

The original housing development was set to be a ‘pioneering low carbon neighbourhood for the future’, claimed head of planning at House by Urban Splash, Andrew Johnston. However the design provoked fury among neighbours and councillors who said it was out of keeping with the area.

It is unclear whether future housing developments on the site will follow a similar environmental framework.

Cllr Helen Speed, a Lib Dem councillor representing Grappenhall, said: “We would very much welcome contact from Homes England as we are very happy to help involve our residents and will do everything we can to ensure the next proposal fits in well with the community that has grown around Grappenhall Heys.

“It will also be vital that the shops and community services that were promised twenty years ago are consulted on and delivered this autumn as has been promised”.

A Homes England spokesperson said: “The site at Grappenhall Heys is currently in the process of being marketed with the target of selecting a development partner.

“Following that and due to the timing of the site disposal, the selected developer will be required by Warrington Borough Council to submit a new detailed planning application for the proposed residential development, this application will need to be approved prior to build out activity starting on site”.

Homes England hopes to appoint a developer by late 2023 and subject to planning being secured expects to see a start on site in late 2024.