PRE-CONSTRUCTION work is taking place ahead of the development of homes at Grappenhall Heys.

The Homes and Communities Agency, which has been replaced by Homes England, had proposals for three projects in south Warrington approved in 2017.

Outline applications for 180 properties on land in Stretton, 370 homes at Appleton Cross and 400 homes at Grappenhall Heys were passed.

Barratt and David Wilson Homes – both part of Barratt Developments Plc – were selected by Homes England to construct the properties in Stretton, on land bounded by Pewterspear Green Road and Stretton Road, and 370 properties at Appleton Cross.

Work is well under way at the Stretton site, with homes already built and occupied, while the construction of the remaining properties takes place.

The reserved matters applications for the first phases of the overall Grappenhall Heys scheme, 1a and 1b, were refused last year.

But the new applications from Homes England and Rowland Homes, each planned to deliver 30 per cent of affordable housing, were approved in March.

Phase 1a comprises development of 58 homes on land to the south of Astor Drive and east of Witherwin Avenue, while phase 1b comprises development of 114 homes on land to the north of Lichfield Avenue and the east of Witherwin Avenue.

Homes England has provided an update on the schemes.

A spokesman said: “Exploratory ground surveys are taking place at Grappenhall Heys but no development work has yet started on site.

“A date for construction work to commence has not yet been determined.”

Sewers-related work has been taking place at Appleton Cross ahead of construction work.