TWELVE homes are to be built in a £1.6m development for accommodation for people with specialist needs.

Torus has been awarded planning permission to build 12 homes at Egerton Street, near Sutton to support people to live independently.

Continuing its partnership with St Helens Borough Council to bolster access to accommodation for those with specialist needs, the Egerton Street development will see Torus invest more than £1.6m into the development of four one-bedroom bungalows and eight one-bedroom flats.

Part of the Government’s Move On Fund, the project, supported by Homes England, will provide permanent homes for people looking to find more stable and long-term accommodation.

With work due to start on site early in 2021, the development marks the second Torus has undertaken with modular housing company, OSCO Homes, and follows on from the Group’s modular build at Pennine Close in Parr.

Committed to supporting the local supply chain and improving life chances of those in the North West, OSCO works with first-time offenders at HMP Hindley to give them the opportunity to learn new skills, gain employment following their release and transform their futures.

Also, with modular construction methods being utilised throughout the development, homes will be built off-site, ultimately seeing the scheme delivered more efficiently and quickly than if traditional constructions methods were used.

READ > 6 planning applications sent to or decided on by St Helens Council in 2020

Discussing the scheme, director of developments and sales, Steve Alcock, said: “We are committed to increasing access to much-needed supported living accommodation and building homes that fit the needs of the people who live in St Helens.

“This is an important development for Torus and one which showcases our dedication to not only our communities, but also transforming how we build to embrace modern, more efficient and sustainable construction techniques with key partners.”

Egerton Street builds on a £22m investment into the supported housing offer in St Helens and is one of a number of schemes that Torus is working on in the area.

Alongside refurbishing three blocks of flats at Appleton Road, the development of Foundry Wharf – a 130 home independent living complex – and the completion of a number of homes for over 55s at Crab Street, Egerton Street further marks the group's pledge to build homes that will support people to live well.

Cllr Jeanie Bell, St Helens Borough Council’s cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, said: “This funding announcement is more fantastic news for our borough’s partnership work to end homelessness and rough sleeping locally. It follows an earlier successful, joint bid of over £1.1m for Next Steps Accommodation by the council and Torus.

“Safe and suitable move-on accommodation is an essential piece of the puzzle, and can provide the stability many people need to turn the corner from rough sleeping, homelessness and refuge spaces, to securing long-term independence.”