The joint venture between Muse, Homes England and Pension Insurance Corporation won the go-ahead from Warrington Borough Council for the Academy Way project on the former DW Sports site near the Time Square district.

The 1.5-acre scheme will deliver two six-storey blocks containing 240 affordable flats, made up of 162 one-bed and 78 two-bed homes.

Sarah Chicken, senior development manager at Muse, said that all homes would be let at rents capped at least 20% below local market levels or within Local Housing Allowance rates.

Designed by AHR Architects, the development centres around a landscaped courtyard and low-carbon homes aimed at cutting tenants’ energy bills.

Habiko launched in late 2024 with plans to build 3,000 affordable rental homes across England over the next 12 years. Warrington is the first scheme to secure planning consent, with further projects in Solihull, Chester and Liverpool also progressing.

Construction timing has yet to be confirmed, but the approval marks the starting gun for Habiko’s wider affordable housing pipeline.