Strategic land acquisition creates largest housing-led development site for Homes England in the North
On 10 April 2025 Homes England successfully completed the acquisition of 34 hectares of land within the residential allocation known as the South East Warrington Urban Extension (SEWUE), creating what is now the Agency’s largest development site in the North of England.
The strategic purchase brings the Agency’s total landholding within the SEWUE to c.250 hectares, giving Homes England control of the development of the allocation in Warrington Borough Council’s Local Plan. The newly acquired land, near to Stretton, is critical to the entire development’s success, making it possible to put essential access infrastructure in place which unlocks the delivery of the whole allocation.
This consolidation of ownership represents a significant milestone in the Agency’s placemaking mission, and the scale of the development will make a substantial contribution to meeting housing needs in Warrington and within the North West region.
Once completed, the site will feature up to 4,200 new homes (30% of which will be affordable) alongside community facilities including schools, recreational spaces, local centres with health facilities, and green spaces for both existing and new communities to enjoy.
Alison Crofton, Chief Property Officer at Homes England, said:
This acquisition is the culmination of focused work by the team and represents a brilliant place opportunity. This is a clear example of Homes England’s unique role to enable, deliver and demonstrate effective placemaking at scale.
We negotiated with multiple stakeholders to successfully complete this acquisition, alongside ongoing local community engagement. We’re looking forward to progressing to the next stage of planning and seeing a new community being delivered.
Cllr John Kerr-Brown, Warrington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for housing services, said:
We’re looking forward to working with Homes England on this important scheme. It supports our ongoing work to deliver high quality housing – including affordable homes – in every part of the borough, meeting local demand and supporting Warrington’s growth.
Following the acquisition, Homes England will complete a site-wide Development Framework this year, laying the groundwork for future planning applications.
This article was issued via Press Release as "Homes England completes strategic land acquisition to create the Agency’s largest housing-led development site in the North of England" dated 11 April, 2025.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Brownfield Passport.
- Consultation on proposed reforms to NPPF and other changes to the planning system.
- Detailed planning permission.
- Design Council Homes Taskforce launched to support 1.5 million homes target within UK climate commitments.
- Design for Homes.
- Diversity in regeneration.
- Fixing our broken housing market..
- Golden rules for the release of land.
- Grey belt.
- Homes and Communities Agency.
- Homes England.
- Homes England Modern Methods of Construction research finalised.
- Housing Forum seeks unity over suspension of works.
- How long does it take to get planning permission.
- How long does planning permission last.
- IHBC response to revised NPPF.
- Killian Pretty Review.
- Local plan.
- Localism Act.
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
- National Planning Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Neighbourhood development order.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- NPPF consultation briefing notes on terms.
- NPPF inquiry.
- Outline planning permission.
- Planning legislation.
- Planning overhaul to reach 1.5 million new homes.
- Planning permission.
- Planning policy replaced by the NPPF.
- The grey, the brown and the golden rules of housing.
Featured articles and news
Licensing construction in the UK
As the latest report and proposal to licence builders reaches Parliament.
Building Safety Alliance golden thread guidance
Extensive excel checklist of information with guidance document freely accessible.
Fair Payment Code and other payment initiatives
For fair and late payments, need to work together to add value.
Pre-planning delivery programmes and delay penalties
Proposed for housebuilders in government reform: Speeding Up Build Out.
High street health: converting a building for healthcare uses
The benefits of health centres acting as new anchor sites in the high street.
The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters: from ‘lady woodcarvers’ to professionals. Book review.
Skills gap and investment returns on apprenticeships
ECA welcomes new reports from JTL Training and The Electrotechnical Skills Partnership.
Committee report criticises UK retrofit schemes
CIOB responds to UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Committee report.
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.