Habiko submits planning application for 342 new, affordable and sustainable homes in Chester city centre

Habiko, the affordable homes partnership between Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC), Muse and Homes England, has submitted plans to Cheshire West and Chester Council for 342 homes at Charterhall Drive in Chester city centre, building on its vision to develop affordable, low-carbon and low-energy homes in order to unlock a better future for the environment and for the community.

Following extensive stakeholder engagement and community conversations on the plans in 2025, proposals for Charterhall Drive have now been refined and submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council, to revitalise a sustainable brownfield site in Chester city centre. The proposals will bring 342 affordable 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments over 8 and 10 storeys to create a new, vibrant community within easy reach of Chester train station and 10-15 minutes’ walk from the town centre.

Designed by architect shedkm, the homes have been designed working closely with feedback from the community and key stakeholders in mind, to respect the site’s industrial past as Chester’s former leadworks with distinctive red brickwork.

The wider area has seen piecemeal developments proposed and delivered over a number of years. The new homes from Habiko will knit the area together to create allow-car urban residential quarter, creating a vibrant residential neighbourhood with publicly accessible green space at its heart.

Launched in 2024, Habiko focuses on delivering low-carbon, low-energy affordable homes for rent. The homes will be built across England in areas of high demand for this type of housing, in accessible locations close to employment opportunities and designed to help residents save money on their energy bills.

Ella Woodward, Development Manager, said:

“This is an important milestone in our journey to deliver 3,000 affordable, sustainable homes, and our plans have been shaped and refined over a period of many months to bring forward a proposal for Charterhall Drive that works for everybody.

“Here, we are supporting a vibrant residential community, building on the progress already made as part of the wider location’s redevelopment. By delivering high-quality, affordable homes, we are helping to meet the diverse needs of local residents and the wider community.”

The submission of the planning application comes following detailed design development and ongoing engagement with stakeholders and the community.

For more information and contact information for the project team, visit charterhall.habiko.uk