Work to Start Immediately on New Community at Basford East

Councillors have given the go ahead for a £93 million plan to build 449 new homes near Basford, including 123 affordable homes and a £6.8 million investment in local roads and schools.

North West home builder and social landlord Onward Homes secured planning consent today at a meeting of the Strategic Planning Board of Cheshire East Council. Work will start next week, with delivery partner Lane End Group getting on site to build new homes straight away.

Close to Crewe Railway Station and with easy access to the M6, the development site is allocated by the Cheshire East Local Plan as a strategic location for housing. Delivering the site is a huge step towards realising the Council’s vision for Basford East of a community of 850 homes with a new local centre, including a primary school, shops and community centre. Alongside 326 homes for sale on the open market, Onward is going above and beyond what is required by the Council to deliver 123 affordable homes, supporting the full range of housing aspirations. 

Local investment as a result of the development will include:

• £4.5 million for road improvements
• £1.5 million towards a new local primary school
• £670,000 for new bus services, cycle lanes and pedestrian routes
• Delivery is supported by a £2.2 million grant from Homes England

Onward Homes and New Beginnings, a social enterprise set up by Lane End, are working with education and training organisation The Pledge Cheshire to provide construction learning opportunities for local students of Primary, Secondary and Higher Education. This will take the form of site visits, work experience, career events, assemblies and project opportunities.

Sandy Livingstone, Executive Director of Property at Onward Homes, said:

“Building high quality homes, including affordable homes, is essential to creating an economic recovery that everyone in the North West can share in. Onward is laying the foundations for a new community where individuals, couples and families can achieve their housing aspirations, from home ownership to affordable rent.” 

Richard Harrison, Managing Director of Lane End Group, said: “This is a significant scheme and message of intent to deliver much-needed housing in Crewe. 

“We know this is a priority area for Cheshire East Council for both employment and housing growth within the Authority’s area and we look forward to playing our part in providing development, regeneration and infrastructure needs.  

“Lane End’s Basford East site is another example of the organic growth of our business and we’re delighted to partner with Onward as we look to assist in the regeneration and encourage growth and investment into Crewe.” 

PRP Architects provided planning and design support for the application.