Expanding its development pipeline into new areas over the past two years, leading North West housing Group, Torus, is thrilled to break ground on its largest housing scheme in Wigan – Hallbrook Gardens – in Standish.

With 155 homes being built for Affordable Rent, Rent to Buy or Shared Ownership, Hallbrook Gardens signifies a £30 million investment in the creation of genuinely affordable housing options for the borough.

The fourth scheme Torus has developed in Wigan, Hallbrook Gardens further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to regenerating areas outside of its traditional heartlands in Liverpool, St Helens and Warrington and working with local supply chains and contractors to bring about real housing-led change for communities.

Working with Homes England as landowner, Wigan Council’s Housing and Planning teams and Seddon, as developer contractor, Torus have unlocked a key brownfield site which has been vacant for more than 10 years.

Discussing the start on site, Director of Development & Sales at Torus Developments, Steve Alcock, said:

“This is a momentous occasion for Torus and one that not only represents our growth as an affordable housing developer, but as a community investor and an organisation that uses affordable housing as a catalyst for positive, sustainable, large-scale change.

“Hallbrook Gardens is the largest new build scheme we have broken ground on outside of Liverpool, St Helens or Warrington and this truly is a landmark moment for Torus. This is a technically difficult site and I’m thrilled to be here celebrating with Homes England – who facilitated the redevelopment of this site – members of Wigan Council and our contractor, Seddon, all of whom worked together with Torus to enable the site to be redeveloped and have contributed to helping us open the door to homeownership for hundreds of local people.”

Craig Bradley, Senior Manager at Homes England, said:

“We’re delighted to be working with Torus to provide much needed affordable housing on former Homes England land. As a Strategic Partner of Homes England, Torus have been able to capitalise on investment from the Affordable Homes Programme to unlock this key site for development.”

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare, said:

“We are delighted to see this large, 100% affordable housing scheme come forward, being delivered on previously developed ‘brownfield’ land.

“This development fits with the Standish Neighbourhood Plan and will deliver much-needed affordable and energy-efficient housing with a variety of options for those looking to move in, including affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership to help local people get on the ladder.

“Working in partnership with Torus and Homes England has been key in bringing this site forward and it is great to see works getting underway.”

Duncan Williams, Divisional Director at Seddon said:

“We’re delighted to be working on our first scheme with Torus which will bring 155 affordable new homes to the region. It’s brilliant to see works start on what has been a technically difficult site to mobilise. We’re looking forward to working in Wigan again and making a difference, not just through the new homes, but through local employment and training opportunities for the community.”