£8m Skelmersdale housing scheme underway

An £8m scheme to build 50 homes in Skelmersdale is now underway.Contractors Whitfield & Brown have begun site preparation work to bring forward the development for council-owned developer Tawd Valley Developments.Hoardings have gone up around the site on Fairlie in Birch Green in preparation for the implementation of a mix of semi-detached and terraced houses, plus two-storey apartments and bungalows. The homes are being developed for TVD’s owner, West Lancashire Borough Council, and will be available for rent to people locally.”This is our largest and most challenging scheme to date and will make a significant difference to the quality of life of residents when the homes are completed,” said TVD’s managing director Mark Kitts.“Our focus is on delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes that suit the needs of different members of the community, which is why there are a mix of housing types in the development. There’ll also be wider improvements as part of the development, including enhanced pavements and a new access road with additional residents’ parking.”The low-energy homes will benefit from dual zone heating, double-glazing and electric car charge points, as well as light and spacious accommodation.The first phase of works will see infrastructure such as the access road, ground works and drainage completed. Construction is expected to last 12 months.Cllr Yvonne Gagen, leader of West Lancashire Borough Council, said: “This development will deliver new and much-needed homes to our residents and the combination of types of housing available will bring together different generations in a way that will help to keep our communities strong.”The development has been designed by John McCall Architects with ARP the providing civil and structural engineering advice.