Work begins on new Knowsley homes for affordable rent

Work is under way on a new £3m housing development in Stockbridge Village, Knowsley.Round Hey will provide 24 new homes, which will be made up of 18 one-bedroom apartments and six three-bedroom houses.It is being built on the site of the derelict and unused St Jude’s church, which is currently being demolished.The much-needed affordable homes are being brought to the area by ForHousing, a progressive landlord which owns and manages more than 24,000 homes across the North West and is part of the ForViva Group.The development is part of its commitment to investing in homes and spaces that fuel peoples’ potential and improve lives.Group director of homes, Nigel Sedman, said: “It’s great to be on site working on this development after an uncertain few months.The scheme is being developed with support from Knowsley Borough Council. Cllr Tony Brennan, cabinet member for regeneration and economic Completion of Round Hey is planned for Autumn 2021.Funding includes £1,248,000 from Homes England. The developer is Crossfield Construction and the architect is Eden Building Design.In February this year ForHousing completed work on the first new affordable homes built in Stockbridge Village for more than a decade with the £1.6m development of 16 homes at the former Barley Mow pub site.ForHousing is continuing to invest in Stockbridge Village with its £12m 90-home extra care development Jackson Gardens, due to be completed this year.There are also further plans for some smaller developments in Stockbridge Village and Knowsley, as well as a second phase at Round Hey.