Construction work has begun on the first phase of development of Handforth Garden Village, which is set to deliver a new neighbourhood of 1,500 homes on the Cheshire-Stockport border.
Contractors have broken ground on the creation of the new gateway entrance to the Garden Village at Handforth which will enable future phases of delivery across the site. The scheme is being designed to be nature-led, and put green spaces, biodiversity and sustainable travel at the heart of the new community. Alongside 1,500 market and affordable homes, a new village centre will incorporate a school and nursery, apartments, new employment space, a food store, leisure and retail units, extra care accommodation, a community hub, and extensive civic spaces and play areas.
The start of works on site is the outcome of a significant amount of progress on the scheme over the past 12 months.
In spring last year, Cheshire East Council agreed to explore the potential of forming an investment partnership with MADE Partnership to deliver the Garden Village, and signed an exclusivity agreement with MADE a few months later. The investment partnership comprises housebuilder, Barratt Redrow; Homes England; and Lloyds Banking Group.
MADE has been working with the council to review the scheme and has now applied for a variation to the existing planning consent for the site, which was approved in 2023. These changes will help make the scheme easier to deliver and improve its design.
Cllr Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for Planning, Housing and Regeneration, said:
“Today marks a really important step towards creating a new Garden Village at Handforth that residents can be proud of.
“This is a large-scale and ambitious project and since the council entered into an exclusivity agreement with MADE Partnership last summer, strong progress has been made in developing the plans.
“Reaching these latest milestones is a marker of MADE Partnership’s commitment to the Garden Village and demonstrates the value of the public and private sectors working together to deliver significant growth.
“Through our close partnership working, we share an ambition to create a sustainable, high-quality place that delivers new homes, jobs, community facilities and green spaces, while supporting the long-term economic growth of Cheshire East.”
Stephen Kinsella, MADE Partnership managing director, said:
“Starting work onsite at the Garden Village at Handforth represents a key milestone for MADE Partnership.
“Working collaboratively with Chehire East Council and other stakeholders has enabled us to bring the project forward at pace, identifying some adjustments that will aid delivery of our compelling, shared vision.
“Our aim, going forward, is to formalise our relationship with Cheshire East into an investment partnership to share the rewards of our collaboration.
“By working in partnership with the council and other stakeholders, we will create a community where homes, jobs and nature thrive, supported by infrastructure and amenities that makes the Handofrth Garden Village work.”
The Garden Village at Handforth scheme is supported by funding awarded from Homes England towards the cost of the new infrastructure needed to unlock the site.
A comprehensive package of mitigation is anticipated to ensure the development provides for upgrades to community infrastructure both on and off site, where needed to address ecology, healthcare, education, sport and highway impacts.
Photo: (L-R) Cllr Mick Gorman and Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council; and Stephen Kinsella, MADE Partnership.
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