Handover of eight energy-efficient bungalows in revolutionary Tawd Valley Housing project

Delighted residents are preparing to move into eight new bungalows, which are the first of their kind for West Lancashire Borough Council.  

Council-owned Tawd Valley Developments (TVD) has completed the latest phase of the Fairlie project, which will see a total of 50 new homes built in the Ashurst and Birch Green neighbourhoods of Skelmersdale and is TVD’s sixth new housing scheme to be completed for the Council.  

The scheme has been developed on land previously left vacant by the former Fairlie Primary School. Construction work began in Spring 2022 and has been completed two months ahead of schedule.

The development is similar to the recently completed Northfield scheme, but with a wider range of housing types to meet the differing needs of local people. 

Alongside the two-bed bungalows, the homes, which will be owned and managed by West Lancs Borough Council, will compromise a mix of one-bed apartments and two and three-bedroom houses. They are all made using timber-frame construction. 

The scheme attracted £2m of Homes England funding.

Councillor Nicola Pryce-Roberts, portfolio holder for Housing said: "These bungalows really are something to be proud of, as they are the first of their kind in the Borough.  

“Fairlie is a unique development, made up of different types of accommodation, allowing people with differing needs, such as families with children and the elderly, to enjoy living together in one close community. 

“We’re delighted to see our first residents move into these revolutionary new homes.” 

Mark Kitts, Tawd Valley Developments Managing Director, said: "These bungalows are the perfect example of our dedication to providing a variety of homes for the council, which are both eco-friendly and affordable. 

"These types of homes are much-needed in the area, and we are delighted to hand them over to council tenants, ahead of schedule." 

Mayor of West Lancashire, Councillor Maureen Nixon was in attendance for the official handover ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, February 26. 

Mayor Nixon added: “I am honoured to be here today to help Tawd Valley Developments officially handover these wonderful bungalows to the Council, which not only are affordable and energy-efficient, they also really look the part. 

“I send all my best wishes to their new tenants and am sure they will enjoy being part of this fantastic new development.” 

Additional information: 

• 13 of the two and three-bed houses were let as Affordable Rent to Buy, the first of this tenure type for WLBC.  Residents pay 80% of market rent, save the remaining 20% towards a deposit to buy their homes after the first 5 years.  This tenure is advertised on the open rental market aimed at economically active residents rather than from WLBC housing register.
• The rest of the new homes are for affordable rent, with rents charged close to Local Housing Allowance.
• Four of the 2 & 3 bed homes have been built to Future Homes Standard, which includes air source heat pumps, under floor heating, triple glazed windows and enhanced insulation.  This makes them even more energy efficient keeping energy bills low for residents. 
• The homes have been designed by John McCall Architects and built by Whitfield and Brown Developments