Work has completed on an affordable housing scheme at Lickers Lane in Whiston, bringing much-needed new homes to the area.
Delivered for Livv Housing Group (formerly Knowsley Housing Trust), the £2.56m scheme comprises 28 new properties, including four one-bedroom apartments, plus 15 two-bedroom houses, eight three-bedroom properties and one four-bedroom home complete with an extension.
Built by Seddon, the development was originally scheduled to complete in March 2020, but works were slowed by the initial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. However, construction was soon able to continue throughout the nationwide lockdown, with reduced labour, social distancing and improved hygiene measures in place to protect everyone on site.
The project presented a challenge due to the narrow nature of the site. Construction was completed in one phase, with Seddon leading on pre-construction works, including design, service diversions and plots built in sequence to streamline access.
Consideration was given to existing residents on the adjacent land, with deliveries of materials arranged outside of school hours. Seddon also worked with Livv Housing Group to communicate with the local community, including holding a Meet the Contractor event before work started and issuing quarterly newsletters to keep people regularly informed of progress.
As part of Seddon’s commitment to local labour, subcontractors were hired from within a 25-mile radius of the site to complete the works. Seddon also teamed up with Livv Housing Group to offer opportunities for apprentices, with one apprentice joining the team from S&K Brickwork in Liverpool as a bricklayer.
Lickers Lane is now fully handed over to Livv Housing Group and occupied by tenants who have all moved into their new homes.
Yvonne Westhead Fyles, Director of Development at Livv Housing Group, said: “It is testament to the hard work of our team and those at Seddon that we were able to complete work on the new community at Lickers Lane, in spite of the challenges that 2020 has brought us.
“Before works began, the site was home to a number of empty maisonette properties. We recognised that there was an opportunity to make vast improvements that would not only benefit local residents, but would help the community thrive, with much-needed, affordable, quality housing.”
Duncan Williams, Divisional Director at Seddon, commented: “Our team has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic to ensure that Lickers Lane could be completed with minimal disruption to local people.
“It is our belief that people make places, so we are very proud that we were able to work closely with Livv Housing Group to transform what was once an underused piece of land into a brand-new community that will be enjoyed for many years to come.”
