Tilia Homes announces strategic partnership with north west housing association

Housebuilder Tilia Homes Northern has strengthened its partnership with one of the largest housing associations in the North West, to offer more affordable home ownership opportunities in Lancashire.

Onward Homes will acquire 63 properties at Alston Grange, Tilia Homes’ flagship development, in Longridge, in the Ribble Valley. When complete, the Alston Grange will provide 256 new homes in an area where demand for property is high.

This is the second deal Tilia Homes has agreed with Onward Homes, having already partnered on shared ownership homes at Daltons Way, Skelmersdale.

Alston Grange will offer a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes for private sale, while Onward Homes will provide a further range of homes. These will include two- and three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows and three- and four-bedroom detached homes, in a mix of affordable rent and Rent to Buy options. The first homes are due to be handed over this Autumn.

The development has been designed with the environment and sustainability in mind, with more than half of the site left as green open space. As part of a Section 106 agreement, Tilia Homes will also make a £469,000 contribution to the local area, including sustainable travel enhancements in the local area.

David Morris, Land Director for Tilia Homes Northern, said: “We recognise that the market can be challenging for some prospective buyers and this partnership with Onward Homes helps us meet that growing need.

“It is a very important move for us, not just as a region, but on a national level as well. We strongly believe in pro-actively delivering homes at every stage of the property ladder, from the first-time buyer to second steppers and beyond. No matter what our buyers’ aspirations are, we want to support them in making their housing dreams a reality.

“We are steadfast in that proposition and by working with external partners such as Onward Homes or Sage Homes and their Home Stepper offering, or by providing schemes such as Deposit Unlock or Part Exchange, we believe we are helping to future proof the market.

“Strategically, a deal such as this bolsters our forward sales position as we continue to deliver energy efficient homes in the right places where demand is high, where new communities can flourish and everyone can have the opportunity to live in their own home in a place that they love, near family and friends, without being priced out.”

Onward Homes is one of the largest registered providers of social housing in the North West, owning and managing 35,000 homes across Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire & Greater Manchester.

Stephen Heverin, Growth & Regeneration Director at Onward Homes, said: “These high-quality homes will make a real difference to people taking their first steps on the local property ladder or hoping to put down roots in the area. We’re pleased to be making the dream of home ownership an affordable reality for people who may otherwise have been priced out of their own area.

“We are excited to be working with Tilia Homes once more. Their experience and high standards will help us further improve the quality and choice of affordable housing across our North West communities.”

The development agreement has primarily been funded through Onward Homes’ Strategic Partnership with Homes England, which is helping the housing association to build 5,000 new homes by 2030, with 2,103 being delivered directly through the Partnership.