A Torus scheme to build 295 affordable homes in St Helens as part of a 95-acre regeneration project is forging ahead after starting on site in January.

With a dry start to the year, access roads are already in place at the housing association’s £63 million scheme that marks the third phase of the Moss Nook development with 900 homes being built in total.

Harworth Group acted as master developer using its regeneration expertise to bring forward this large, complex site.

It was unlocked by £2 million of Brownfield Land funding from Liverpool City Region to prepare the land for residential use so a new neighbourhood can be created between Sutton, Parr and Bold.

Torus bought the remediated site from Harworth Group in November 2024 and has received £19.4 million of grant funding from Homes England.

Torus appointed Watkin Jones, one of the UK’s leading developers of residential homes, to build the scheme of social rent, affordable rent, rent to buy and shared ownership properties.

Director of Development and Technical at Torus, Steve Alcock, said:

“Providing sustainable new properties in St Helens with a range of housing types and tenures is a key part of our development programme, offering people affordable homes that are energy efficient.

“Moss Nook takes our total number of new homes under construction in St Helens to 1,080 across nine sites.

“In order to make an impression on the town’s housing waiting lists and reduce demand, we need to deliver in volume and we are looking forward to continuing at pace with the aim of completing all 295 homes by 2028.

“The land has sat derelict for decades so the scheme and the wider regeneration it forms part of, will revitalise this area of St Helens.”

There will be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses, apartments and mews-style dwellings all with modern living designs.

Sustainability is central to the development with air source heat pumps and solar PV in readiness for the Future Homes Standard and supporting Torus’ and Watkin Jones’ Future Foundations strategy by reducing fossil fuel reliance.

Cllr Graham Morgan, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said:

“It’s great to see this progress at Moss Nook which is seeing derelict land transformed into a thriving new community.

“That’s what our Brownfield Land Fund is all about and why we were pleased to invest £2m into the project to help remediate the site and make it ready for new homes.

“Through this fund we’re creating more than 4,500 new homes across the city region, giving families the opportunity to live in a high-quality home; attract new funding into towns and cities; and, help us retain talent to grow our economy. New homes are an investment in the future.”

Sean Curran, Head of Construction Delivery and Design at Watkin Jones, said:

“We are proud to see work progressing on site.

“Our design approach has focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that respond to local needs of residents in St Helens.

“This development will help ease housing shortages in the area while creating a well-considered environment that supports community living and long-term regeneration.

“Moss Nook is a fantastic example of how regeneration can unlock the potential of a brownfield site and to create a thriving new community.”

James Crow, National Director of Place at Harworth Group, said:

“It is great to welcome Torus and their future residents to our Moss Nook development. Phase three was conceived as a mixed tenure development to help us build a diverse and sustainable community there.

“Working with Torus and Watkin Jones early in the planning process has helped us take a design-led approach that will create a real asset for the wider community. I look forward to seeing it come out of the ground.”

Phase one of the Moss Nook development saw 258 homes built and Harworth will deliver a sports and facilities on land at Cromdale Grove Recreation Ground as phase two.

Harworth secured planning permission for Torus’ scheme from St Helens Council in summer 2024.