Halton Housing yesterday celebrated the official opening of Hazlehurst, its largest independent living scheme, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by the Mayor of Halton (pictured, with the Mayoress). The event brought together partner organisations, Halton Housing colleagues and over 30 customers who have moved into their apartments, all joining in the celebrations.

The scheme is located on Actons Wood lane in Sandymoor Runcorn and offers 100 modern, spacious self-contained apartments with extensive communal facilities including a contemporary bistro which is already proving to be extremely popular with the local community as well as residents.

Hundreds of people worked on the scheme which was built by Countryside Partnerships, (formerly Vistry Partnerships Northwest), including partners, contractors and colleagues from across Halton Housing and took just took 26 months to complete from starting on-site in August 2020.

About the official opening, Group Chief Executive of Halton Housing, Sam Scott said:

“Today’s event was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate this incredible scheme and the hard work of everyone involved in bringing the vision to life. Not only have we delivered an amazing scheme that customers can be proud to call home, we have also strengthened our relationships with our partners and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations come together with a common goal. Chatting to customers who have already moved into Hazlehurst, I was really struck by just how much they love their new home, describing it has having really improved their life” 

Paul Mullane, Director of Development and Sales for Halton Housing added:

“I am delighted to see the official opening of Hazlehurst today and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this exciting project. which provides quality, affordable housing in the area. As well as building homes, we want to provide opportunities for people living within our communities and I’m proud that during the two years of build we’ve been able to do just that, as well as providing a fantastic career in housing for the brand-new Hazlehurst team who joined us back in September”.

Hazlehurst is named after local businessman, Thomas Hazlehurst who founded the soap and alkali manufacturing company, ‘Hazlehurst & Sons’ in 1816. The event was attended by Peter Blackmore and Mike Hodgkinson from the Runcorn & District Historical society.

Speaking at the event Peter said:

“Thomas Hazlehurst and his family made a huge contribution to the local economy in the 19th century so we are really pleased to see their legacy live on through a building like this which is bringing so much pleasure to the people already living here. We are sure that Thomas Hazlehurst would be proud of what has been achieved here”.

Hazlehurst forms part of our ambitious plans to build 1000 much-needed new homes by 2027.  The development was part-funded through our Investment Partner status with Homes England which will enable us to achieve this goal. 

Hazlehurst is the third independent living scheme from Halton Housing and provides an ideal opportunity for anyone over 55 whose home no longer meets their existing needs, or for those who want peace of mind for the future should their lifestyle change.

For more information about the scheme, its facilities and how to apply to live at Hazlehurst, visit www.haltonhousing.co.uk/hazlehurst.

[Header image: Pictured left to right - Ray Kilkenny, Contracts Manager - Countryside Partnerships, Mike Wharton, Leader of Halton Borough Council, Stephen Young, Chief Executive - Halton Borough Council, Sam Scott, Group Chief Executive - Halton Housing, Paul Mullane, Director of Development and Sales - Halton Housing, Councillor Mark Dennett - Mayor of Halton, Mrs Andrea Dennett - Mayoress of Halton.]

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Our Director of Development & Sales Paul Mullane reflects on Hazlehurst independent living scheme, the impact it will have on those calling it home and the lasting legacy of the development following yesterday's official opening.