The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has worked with Wigan Council to select Taylor Wimpey as the preferred developer to undertake the re-development of Bickershaw South in to a mixed-use scheme.

Bickershaw South is one of the Agency's most significant development sites and will see the 18-hectare site in Wigan transformed by building a total of 474 high quality open market and affordable homes. All homes will achieve a minimum of the ‘code for sustainable homes’ level 4 accreditation, which will ensure each new home achieves an impressive level of sustainability. The scheme will also include in excess of 10,000 sq ft of non-residential development including a community building, café, retail units and the completion of the 40-berth marina facility.

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Taylor Wimpey Manchester will lead the development of the reserved matters application for the whole site with the involvement of Wigan Council and the HCA. The scheme is expected to progress in several phases over a period of 8 years with planning consent anticipated for autumn 2013 and the completion of the first homes scheduled for early summer 2014.

The site has recently won several awards including CEEQUAL accreditation 'Excellent' and 'Outstanding Achievement Award' for flood risk design. The scheme also received a formal naming ceremony to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee with Royal representatives in attendance. This level of activity for the scheme creates enthusiasm with the local and wider community which HCA and partners expect to continue as Taylor Wimpey maintains with the vision for this site to create an established and high-quality scheme for the community.

Deborah McLaughlin, North West Executive Director of the HCA said: "Appointing a developer is a significant milestone for this major land development. This area is a former colliery site and has been a priority of the national coalfields programme for a period of time. I know that our chosen developer is keen to deliver a project, which meets the needs, and aspirations of local people, creating much needed affordable homes, leisure facilities and more. Not only will it impact on tourism, but it will create jobs for local people, improve the look of the area and bring disused land back to life."

(CD/H)