Breck to turn brickworks into new homes

A property developer has acquired a brownfield site near Wigan for residential development.

Breck has purchased the 21-acre former Ravenhead Brickworks site, in Upholland, from brickmaker Ibstock, with plans to deliver around 300 new homes, subject to planning. 

Bosses say the project will be Breck’s largest to date and was funded using internal cash reserves. 

They add that they plan to submit a detailed planning application by the end of 2025.

Andy Garnett, director at Breck, said: “The acquisition is part of our commitment to regenerating communities across the North by identifying and unlocking strategic land opportunities. 

“As a well-funded business, we are able to act quickly when sites like Ravenhead come to market. 

“We have purchased the potential development site without any existing planning permission at our risk. 

“Although the site presents technical challenges, we are confident in our technical ability to transform it into a thriving community. 

“This project will also create a boost to the local economy by offering opportunities for sub-contractors and apprentices, something we ensure happens across all our sites.

“We look forward to progressing our plans for the site later in the year.”

The Lancashire-headquartered developer, which has a 2000-home pipeline across the North, is also expanding into Yorkshire, having opened a Leeds office and submitted plans for its first schemes in Bradford, which together will deliver 107 affordable homes.

National planning and development firm Newmark advised Ibstock on the disposal of the Ravenhead site.

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