Builders have resumed construction of a £41 million affordable homes scheme in Helsby.

Work stopped on Onward Homes’ 215 dwellings in Chester Road after Warrington-based Lane End Developments Construction Ltd entered administration about 14 months ago.

However, in April Onward revealed it had hired Countryside Partnerships to complete its 100 per cent affordable housing project.

Now Mike Amesbury, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for the new Runcorn and Helsby seat at the general election, has spotted builders on site while out campaigning.

Diggers spotted on site at the Helsby development.

Diggers spotted on site at the Helsby development.

He said: “It was great to see construction resuming during what I understand was the new crew’s first week on the job. The country needs housing, particularly affordable housing.”

Supported by a grant from government agency Homes England, the scheme of two, three and four-bed homes for shared ownership, affordable rent and rent-to-buy will be developed in line with current planning consent.

It’s hoped properties at the development, called Pavilion Park, will be ready for residents to move into in 2025.

Mr Amesbury added: “As former MP for the old Weaver Vale constituency, I played my part in keeping up the pressure to get these homes delivered by liaising with the housing association and Homes England.”

The parliamentary candidate continued: “It was sad when when the previous contractor went into administration given the impact on its workforce as well as on housing schemes across the region.”

Onward originally touted the Helsby scheme as a £41 million project.

But its 2023 annual report reveals the collapse of Lane End resulted in a £3.5 million impairment relating to increased anticipated costs to complete this and another impacted scheme at Basford, near Crewe.