SIGNIFICANT progress is being made in delivering new housing – including affordable homes – in the town, according to a new report.

Warrington’s Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) looks at the progress made in a range of planning and development areas, including housing, employment and retail. It is produced by the council in its capacity as the local planning authority.

The report – which covers the period from April 1 2022 to March 31 2023 – shows a significant increase in the number of homes being delivered in Warrington.

In the monitoring period, 1,472 net new homes were completed within Warrington, an increase of 778 on the number reported in the previous monitoring period, 694 properties.

Crucially, there has been a big increase in the number of affordable houses delivered, with a total of 509 affordable housing gains recorded across the monitoring period, an increase of 399 on the number completed in the previous year, 110 units.

A large number of new homes have been delivered on sites including at Rivers Edge, off Chester Road, Omega, Appleton Cross, Grappenhall Heys and with the completion of Torus’ Academy Way apartment scheme in the Town Centre.

Additionally, the monitoring period saw the completion of 41,762 sqm of new employment floor space across five sites, totalling 9.16 ha of land.

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Janet Henshaw, said: “Warrington’s latest AMR shows we are performing well in the delivery of new housing across the borough. Our development plan policies continue to be effectively implemented, and this is bringing positive outcomes for our communities, economy, and environment.

“The delivery of new homes is vital to support Warrington’s ongoing growth, so it’s good news to see such a large increase in completed projects over the past year. I’m particularly pleased that such a large proportion of these are affordable homes.

“These figures show we are creating a strong environment for the delivery of the right mix of housing, which is meeting local demand and giving more people than ever the opportunity to own or rent their own home.”

This year’s AMR – which is Warrington’s 19th – is the final one that will monitor the council’s 2014 Local Plan Core Strategy. With Warrington’s Local Plan 2021/22 – 2038/39 adopted in December 2023, next year’s AMR will be the first to monitor the policies and progress of the new Local Plan.