A partnership between Knowsley Council and national social enterprise Fusion21 is working to ensure that people living in Knowsley enjoy the maximum possible benefits from major developments taking place there.
Housebuilder, Anwyl Homes, is the first developer to take part in the collaboration.
Currently on site with its second housing scheme in Knowsley, Anwyl will work closely with Knowsley Council and Fusion21 to ensure that local residents benefit from social value opportunities at its Edenhurst Grange housing development in Roby.
This approach is all part of a commitment by the council to ensure that adding ‘social value’ is prioritised by developers working in Knowsley, so that everyone in the borough is positively impacted when major investment is secured.
Social value is when extra economic, social or environmental benefits are created as part of a development that is taking place; for example, creating jobs for local people, offering apprenticeships to local school leavers or helping to fund training for those out of work or needing to update their skills.
Larger scale developments in Knowsley will particularly be targeted as they offer the most potential benefits. Fusion21 will work with developers to gain their commitment to a set of specific social value requirements at the planning stage and then support them once planning has been granted to ensure that they deliver what they have promised.
Anwyl is delighted to be the first housebuilder to participate in the scheme and the partnership was officially launched at the Edenhurst Grange development, where it is currently building a superb selection of high quality three and four bedroom detached family homes.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at Knowsley Council, said: “With a number of very significant developments on the horizon in Knowsley – including the Shakespeare North Playhouse and Halsnead Garden Village – there are so many exciting opportunities to extract major benefits for local people and communities.
“As a council we are 100% committed to realising the social value that these major developments can bring because it means the benefits will be felt right across our communities, potentially for generations to come.
“This partnership with Fusion21 ensures we maximise all those potential opportunities and sends a clear message to developers hoping to work in Knowsley that we will expect to see a strong package of social value benefits attached to their proposals.”
Sales Manager at Anwyl Homes Lancashire, Matthew Gould, said: “For many years, housebuilders have made social value contributions as part of their Section 106 contributions during the planning process. It’s great to see Knowsley Council formalise this process even further and we look forward to working closely with Fusion21 to realise the many benefits of our Edenhurst Grange development for local people.”
Mark Chadwick, Director of Business Services at Fusion21, added: “Fusion21’s expertise in the planning system has helped more than 600 beneficiaries and resulted in the delivery of 19,000+ training weeks on sites across the UK, kick-starting the careers of many people who have dreamed of working in the construction industry.
“As a company with Merseyside roots, we’re delighted to be working alongside Knowsley Council and Anwyl Homes to support local communities and help the local economy prosper.”
Image shows from left to right: Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council; Tony Diprose Site Project Manager Anwyl Homes; Matthew Gould, Sales Manager, Anwyl Homes and Mark Chadwick, Director of Business Services, Fusion 21.