We have transformed a former vacant dairy site in Runcorn into 33 new affordable rent flats.

The development, located on Sewell Street consists of 17 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom flats. There are also 33 car parking spaces, three disability spaces, two spaces for motorcycles, two bicycle stores and electric vehicle charging points.

Dan Walsh, Head of Development at Halton Housing said: “The site, which has been vacant for some time was previously occupied by Express Dairies and had become a target for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, so we were delighted to be able to acquire the land and redevelop it into much-needed housing in the area”.

The homes were constructed by Liverpool-based AKM Homes with Consultants Markhams Building Cost Management (Employers Agent) and Wilkinson Cowan Partnership Ltd. (Principal Designer) all playing their part in bringing the new development to life.

Andy Walker, Construction Director at AKM Homes added: "AKM Homes are proud to have played our part in the successful delivery of the scheme, especially given the challenging nature of the build, and all the constraints that come with developing a ‘true’ brownfield site.

We intend to continue delivering schemes such as Sewell Street with Halton Housing, allowing them to provide much-needed affordable homes throughout the borough of Halton.

Thank you to Dan Walsh, Kate Sweeney and the rest of the Halton Housing team for their support and assistance throughout the preconstruction/construction periods of the development. It genuinely has been a pleasure to be a part of.

I would also like to thank our fantastic design team, Shape Consulting Engineers, SMYO Architecture and NECO Services Design, for their contribution behind the scenes and not forgetting our amazing supply chain and subcontractors for their role in the delivery of the scheme, we couldn’t have done it without you.”

Work began on the development in Summer 2022 and the first customers will start to move in over the coming weeks.

We secured funding from Homes England for this development and is their first scheme to be delivered through the Affordable Homes Programme (2021 – 2026).

The development forms part of our ambitions to develop further circa 1000 news homes by 2028.