A DEVELOPER has begun the process to revive a collapsed housing scheme – and revealed it wants to build more than previously thought.

It was confirmed in April that a homebuilder had won the rights for a huge housing scheme after the previous developer collapsed into administration.

House by Urban Splash was behind plans to build 228 homes at Grappenhall Heys phase two, which were approved by Warrington Borough Council’s planning committee in June 2021.

But the joint venture entered administration in May 2022, stalling designs for the site located to the south of Curzon Drive, east of Lichfield Avenue and west of Stansfield Drive.

In August last year, Homes England confirmed it was seeking to appoint a new developer which would require fresh planning permission.

Following a competitive tender process, Redrow Homes confirmed it had exchanged contracts with Homes England to progress the 30-acre scheme.

Now, an application has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department seeking an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening opinion.

An EIA is used to assess the significant effects of a development on the environment, allowing decision makers to think about the likely effects at the earliest possible time and aiming to avoid, reduce or offset them.

The submission, by applicant NJL Consulting on behalf of Redrow Homes states that instead of 228 homes, the proposal is now for 250 dwellings.

Documents state that the site does not lie within the designated green belt, is currently undeveloped greenfield land and is unallocated within the adopted Local Plan.

They say: “The proposed development comprises the redevelopment of the site to provide circa 250 residential dwellings, access, landscaping and open space.

“The applicant intends to submit a full planning application for the proposed development.

“The proposed development can be brought forwardly quickly following approval of planning permission, as there is no major infrastructure required to facilitate the proposals.

“It is understood that the construction phase will commence in spring 2025 with initial enabling works.

“The initial house build commencement will likely occur in summer 2025, with the first completion projected for early 2026.

“The build programme is anticipated to last four to five years, meaning the final completion is projected for 2030.”

On the increase in houses, plans state: “The introduction of circa 250 new homes would result in a modest increase in the population of south Warrington.

“Many of the future occupants will likely be relocating from elsewhere within Warrington, and therefore the population increase is likely to be less than if projected based solely on average occupants per dwelling.

“The site has long been identified as a suitable location for housing, and while the proposed development will deliver more homes than was initially identified, the increase is minor and will not lead to significant impacts on the surrounding environment.”

The application is with the council and will be decided upon in due course.

Redrow previously said that the homes will meet a need for family housing in the area, offering a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, while providing 30 per cent affordable homes on site.

It was also previously said that the proposals will include new play areas, footpath networks to connect to walking routes, open space and mature trees around its boundary.