Neighbourhood of 100 per cent affordable homes coming to Wigan borough town
and live on Freeview channel 276
Plans for the 113-home development off Stothert Street in Atherton – to be known as Popple – were approved by Wigan council last month.
Now, a landmark deal will see all the new homes be classed as affordable and available to rent, thanks in part to funding from Homes England.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe first energy-efficient homes at Popple are expected to be ready by the autumn.
They will include 33 homes for affordable rent, 12 homes available for social rent, and 68 Rent To Buy properties.
The development will also boast excellent sustainability credentials, with the all-electric community set to feature enhanced fabric to minimise heat loss, air source heat pumps and Electric Vehicle chargers.
The deal sees Torus acquire the site from Peel, with Northstone set to build the homes. Popple will boast a mix of homes to meet local demand, including one-bed apartments, alongside two, three and four-bedroom homes – catering for different people at different stages of life.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdCoun Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare at Wigan council, said: “This is a really exceptional development, of good quality affordable homes that have been thoughtfully designed, making sure the energy source is both sustainable and will keep the bills low.
“It’s a real pleasure to work in partnership with other organisations, like Northstone and Torus who also feel equally as passionate and determined, as we do, to build more quality affordable homes in the borough and be part of the solution in tackling the housing crisis that is being experienced across the country.”
Jo Allen, land and partnerships director at Northstone, said: “There’s no let-up in the housing crisis, with authorities like Wigan needing to diversify their housing mix to meet local demand.
"It’s fantastic to be partnering with Torus to deliver a 100 per cent affordable home development that will set a new local benchmark for quality, sustainable rental communities surrounded by green space.
“Not everyone is in a position to buy and many want the flexibility of renting.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Popple will mean those looking for affordable rental homes will have access to the same, high-quality new build homes often only open to those who are buying. “
Managing director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen, added: “As a housing group, we’re well aware of the current cost-of-living-crisis and how heavily it is impacting our communities and the cost of housing, so our mission to continue building great, affordable homes continues to be as pertinent as ever. We’re thrilled to have received planning permission on Popple and to be bringing another affordable scheme to Wigan.”
Designed to embrace natural features and provide a central green corridor, the new neighbourhood will also link footpaths through the development into existing routes.
Around 10,000m sq of greenspace will be opened, featuring new hedge and tree planting as well as species-rich grassland.
Delivery of Popple is being supported by £6.6m of grant funding from Homes England Strategic Partnership 2021-26 programme.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIt is part of a wider investment strategy from both Northstone and Torus to invest in Wigan and the surrounding area.
An it is the second community the pair have collaborated on in the borough in the last 12 months, with affordable homes brought forward at Tulach (the former Pemberton Colliery site) in Wigan.
Wigan Council approved a planning application for the Popple site in November 2023 and has been working with project partners to help meet its local targets for delivery of affordable homes.