WARRINGTON has been named as a ‘built-to-rent hotspot’ in a new study.

Research by housing provider Wise Living found that the town is in high demand among developers and investors in the sector, ranking it as the fourth hottest area in the UK for such projects.

A number of developments of houses and apartments to be leased out upon completion are currently in the works in the borough.

These include 161 homes on the sites of the former Sycamore Lane Primary School in Hood Manor and Foxwood School in Birchwood, schemes which are currently under construction.

Warrington Guardian: Construction has started on the former Sycamore Lane Primary School site

Construction work on the site of Sycamore Lane Primary School

Meanwhile, 362 new flats intended for rent are also being built on John Street in the town centre.

In compiling the list, Wise Living took into account a number of other factors – including rental availability and demand, government funding and the number of purpose-built build-to-rent developments planned, under construction or completed.

The quality of schools according to Ofsted and population density were also considered.

Warrington currently has 77 rental properties per 100,000 residents, 47 educational establishments rated good or outstanding and received £22.1million from the Government last year as part of its Town Deal.

Stoke-On-Trent, Norwich, Peterborough and Hull made up the rest of the top five.

Company director Paul Staley said: “In 2020, there was a clear trend for suburban living.

“Rental demand in the bigger cities and town centres shrank due to the impact of the pandemic, which has led to more people working from home and not needing to live close to work.

“Instead, people have more freedom to choose where they live.

“It means renters searching for quality properties are now looking in the suburbs of smaller cities and towns where it is quieter, they have easier access to green space and quality education for their family.

“We saw this first-hand in 2020 with a number of our BTR developments.

“That’s why the likes of Warrington, where BTR developments are already underway, are big opportunities for investors and developers looking to grow their portfolio in the BTR market.”