ESTATE REGENERATION TRANSFORMING A DERELICT GATEWAY SITE THROUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND RENEWAL – CALDERDALE COUNCIL AND TOGETHER HOUSING
Halifax
Context
Beech Hill lies on the western edge of Halifax Town Centre. Previously, three derelict tower blocks, a council depot, a shop and nine garages occupied the site, with the tower blocks standing empty for over ten years before demolition began.
The regeneration forms part of the Calderdale and Together Housing Investment Partnership (CTHIP). Established in 2017 to help address the housing crisis, CTHIP aimed to deliver approximately 650 affordable homes across Calderdale between 2018 and 2023. In doing so, a prominent gateway site was transformed into a high-quality living environment reflective of Halifax’s distinctive character while meeting diverse local housing needs.
Project
The Beech Hill regeneration was a dual-phased affordable housing and estate renewal scheme comprising 106 new affordable homes and energy efficiency improvements to 70 existing homes at Mount Pleasant.
The new development included a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes available for affordable rent, with five homes fully wheelchair accessible. The wider scheme includes landscaping, public open space, cycle routes, parking facilities and infrastructure works. Existing homes on Mount Pleasant benefited from improvements including new roofs, insulated cladding, windows, doors and boundary treatments.
Key issues resolved
Key barriers included long-term dereliction, demolition and remediation of former high-rise blocks, and delivering affordable housing in a challenging brownfield location.
FACTORS SUPPORTING DELIVERY
Leadership & Oversight
The regeneration was delivered through partnership working between Together Housing Group, Calderdale Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Homes England, Esh Construction and Equans/ ENGIE. Governance was provided through CHTIP.
Funding & Finance
The £16.5 million scheme received £2.197 million from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Growth Deal, alongside funding from Homes England, Calderdale Council, Together Housing Group, the Government’s Getting Building Fund and the Estate Regeneration Fund.
Engagement & Accountability
The project attracted strong local and political support, including visits from Lisa Nandy MP (whilst Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), Holly Lynch MP (former MP for Halifax), and Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, demonstrating the importance of engaging with and aligning local civic leadership.
Capacity & Knowledge
Together Housing Group brought significant housing development expertise, managing around 38,000 homes across the North of England.
Planning, Land & Assembly
Demolition of the tower blocks, depot, shop and garages enabled redevelopment of the site and wider estate improvements.
Outcomes
Housing and supply
The scheme delivered 106 new affordable homes and improvements to 70 existing homes helping address housing need in Calderdale.
Economic growth
The regeneration formed part of wider investment intended to accelerate growth and create jobs across the Leeds City Region.
Sustainability
All new homes are energy efficient with EPC B ratings while existing homes received retrofit and energy efficiency improvements.
People and place
The regeneration transformed a long-derelict gateway site into a high-quality neighbourhood with an improved public realm and community infrastructure, and greater accessibility and connectivity.
