Stanley shortlisted at Northern Housing Awards 2026

We’re proud to announce Stanley Land and Homes has again been recognised by one of the housing sector’s most prestigious awards events.

We’ve been named as a finalist in the SME of the Year category at the 2026 edition of the Northern Housing Awards.

Due to take place in Manchester on Thursday May 21, the Northern Housing Awards celebrate local authorities, affordable housing providers, contractors, consultants and charities that have contributed to the success of the region’s affordable housing sector.

Stanley has been recognised previously with multiple nominations, winning the SME of the Year title in 2023 and the Developer of the Year and Best Social Housing Development awards in 2022.

This year, we’re also proud to again be sponsoring the Best Initiative for Tackling Homelessness category at the awards.

Chris Curtis, director of Stanley Land and Homes, commented: “The Northern Housing Awards is always a great celebration of the projects and people that make our housing sector what it is.

“While we’re proud to have been shortlisted, more than anything we’re looking forward to coming together to celebrate the achievements of others, particularly those organisations that do such an amazing job right on the front line of tackling and preventing homelessness.

“We wish luck to all our other nominees and look forward to celebrating together on the night.”

Launched in 2018, the Northern Housing Awards dinner is now attended by more than 750 people from across the industry, with this year’s event being held at Kimpton Clocktower.

For more information about the Northern Housing Awards and to view all the categories and nominees, visit the awards shortlist here.

Stanley backs Bric-by-Bric academy to support upskilling of housing professionals

Stanley has once again leant its support to a training scheme that helps housing professionals grow their knowledge in developing new affordable homes.

The Bric-by-Bric development academy is run by Saffer Cooper Consultancy and sees experienced developers, property professionals and consultants passing on their wisdom to people working in development roles for registered providers.

The programme runs for three months each year and this time our director Chris Curtis delivered a training session on Development Risk and Opportunity to delegates from housing organisations across the North West and Midlands.

Chris said: “We’ve supported the Bric-by-Bric Academy for the last six years and it’s a great way to impart some of our real-world knowledge and experience to in-house development teams within the housing sector.

“This year’s cohort were very engaged with the session and it’s incredibly rewarding for me personally too to know that Stanley is playing a role in supporting the next generation of housing professionals.”

This year’s cohort included representatives from housing providers including Great Places, Torus, First Choice Homes, ForHousing, Halton Housing, One Manchester, Cobalt Housing, The Guinness Partnership and Sefton Council.

Stanley renews support for The Wellspring this festive season

We’re proud to announce Stanley has once again chosen to support local homelessness support organisation The Wellspring as our 2025 festive charity partner.

Established in 1991 and based in Stockport, The Wellspring is a vital lifeline for people without a home or those who are at risk of losing their home.

Its dedicated team offers practical resources, compassionate support and tailored guidance to help individuals rebuild their lives. It does this by responding to a combination of issues surrounding housing, physical and mental health, domestic abuse, substance misuse, debt and unemployment.

Having provided a financial donation to the charity in 2024, Stanley has become even more familiar with the outstanding care and support Wellspring provides and we decided to support the charity again this year.

Chris Curtis, director of Stanley, comments: “The Wellspring’s mission of ‘Building Futures Beyond Homelessness’ is something that resonates strongly with us.

“Whether it’s through our focus on boosting the supply of affordable homes, or small acts of kindness and support such as this, we want to play our part in creating a more hopeful future for people who are trying so desperately to turn their life around.”

To discover more about the work of the charity or make your own donation visit the Wellspring website.

Stanley submits plans for new homes in Wigan

Stanley Land and Homes has submitted a planning application to develop 22 new affordable homes in the Bickershaw area of Wigan.

We are partnering with Jigsaw Homes Group to provide 22 affordable cottage-style apartments on a disused brownfield site at Scot Lane.

The site was formerly occupied by St Edward’s Church and Presbytery which closed in 2017. The site was cleared in 2020 after the buildings began to attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour, and it has since remained a disused brownfield site.

The apartments, which will meet high sustainability standards and the Nationally Described Space Standards, will be focused on the social rented sector.

Chris Curtis, director of Stanley and Land Homes said: “We’ve got a strong partnership with Jigsaw Homes, delivering quality schemes that meet genuine affordable housing need in Wigan and the surrounding areas.

“This is set to be our 10^th scheme working with Jigsaw and it will provide much-needed one-bedroom properties that in high demand in this part of Wigan.”

The project team for the development includes Holmpatrick Developments (contractor), MPSL Planning and Design (architect), Primas Law (legal advisors), Alan Johnston Partnership (engineers), and Hive Land and Planning (planning consultant).

Work gets underway on phase two at Lancots Lane

Stanley Land and Homes has started work on the second phase of a major housing-led regeneration scheme in St Helens.

Stanley was granted planning approval last month for a further 32 affordable homes and 55,000sq ft of commercial space at Lancots Lane.

The homes are being developed in partnership with Jigsaw Homes Group and will add to the 168 new affordable homes we are already developing at the former glassworks site on behalf of housing provider Torus, as well as 28 recently completed homes for Jigsaw at nearby Baxters Lane.

Chris Curtis, a director at Stanley Land and Homes, said: “We’re proud once again to be working in partnership with Jigsaw Homes to deliver new affordable housing opportunities in the North West.

“This is our ninth scheme with Jigsaw, a trusted and respected RP partner who we’ve built a longstanding relationship with – one that is providing vital new affordable homes and supporting regeneration in our communities.

“We’d like to applaud the planning team at St Helens Council for their support and collaboration in helping us shape and deliver a development that’s creating major benefits for the area. We have a strong pipeline of schemes coming forward, both in St Helens and the wider North West and can’t wait to get on with delivering them.”

The additional homes at Lancots Lane will provide a mix of two, three and four-bedroom affordable homes.

The scheme is being built out by contractor Holmpatrick Developments and the project team for also includes MPSL Planning and Design (architect), Primas Law (legal advisors), Alan Johnston Partnership (engineers), and Hive Land and Planning (planning consultant).

Stanley submits planning application for 30 new affordable homes in Eccles

Stanley Land and Homes has submitted a planning application to create 30 new affordable homes in Eccles, Salford.

Being developed in partnership with registered provider ForHousing, the scheme of one and two-bedroom apartments is proposed for land off the A57 Liverpool Road and Alexandra Road.

The site was formerly home to St Patricroft Methodist Church which has been unused since its closure in 2020. The planning application follows a successful community consultation event held by Stanley and ForHousing in July.

Stanley’s proposed development would see the creation of two separate buildings of 15 apartments with a communal resident garden and seating area, as well as a resident parking court.

The scheme would provide 100 per cent affordable housing, contributing towards efforts to alleviate the acute demand for one and two-bedroom affordable homes in Salford.

Stanley Land and Homes Eccles scheme

Chris Curtis, director of Stanley Land and Homes, said: “There is a distinct shortage of this type of affordable accommodation in Salford with around 5,000 people in the area on the housing waiting list for a one or two-bedroom apartment.

“We’re proud to be working in partnership with ForHousing to bring forward an application for this much needed development, which will provide modern, energy efficient homes in a sustainable brownfield location that’s close to local shops and services.”

The proposal for the development emphasises quality in both design and specification of materials. A low wall and railings will create a neatly landscaped site boundary, while the development also features electric vehicle charging, cycle storage and secure bin storage areas.

Stanley gets approval for second phase of homes at St Helens regeneration scheme

Stanley Land and Homes has been granted planning approval for second phase of new homes at a landmark regeneration scheme in St Helens.

Construction work began on 168 new homes on a former glassworks site at Lancots Lane in the Sutton area of St Helens in February 2024.

Stanley is partnering with housing provider Torus on phase one of the development which has been named The Glassworks and offers a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes for shared ownership and affordable rent.

Stanley has now been granted planning permission for an additional 32 homes and a 55,000 sq ft B8 commercial unit that will complete the redevelopment of the 18-acre brownfield site.

The company also recently completed 28 homes at nearby Baxters Lane in St Helens on behalf of Jigsaw Homes Group, meaning Stanley will have built 228 new homes in the area once phase 2 of the scheme at Lancots Lane completes.

Neil Hughes, a director at Stanley Land and Homes, said: “This important planning approval means we can now go ahead and complete the regeneration of this former industrial site in its entirety, renewing the area with affordable homes that enjoy the highest standards of urban design and quality.

“The whole project has been a great example of what can be achieved with brownfield affordable housing regeneration when you have a collaborative team all working in partnership.”

The project team for Phase 2 at Lancots Lane includes MPSL Planning and Design (architect), Alan Johnston Partnership (engineers), Hive (planning consultant) and Primas Law (legal). The scheme will be built out by contractor Holmpatrick Developments.

Stanley supports grass roots girls’ football team with shirt sponsorship

Stanley Land and Homes is proud to announce we have agreed to be a shirt sponsor of Pexhill Atletico – a girls junior football team based in Widnes.

Stanley has sponsored the team’s new grey and white kit for the 2025/26 season.

The club, which forms part of Pex Hill Junior Football Club, plays in the Liverpool FA County Girls U11 League on Saturdays and the Warrington U12 Girls League on Sundays.

Neil Hughes, director of Stanley, said: “Shirt sponsorships have always been a lifeline for grass roots football teams, with local businesses enabling the supply of new kit and easing the pressure on a club’s precious finances.

“I always remember when I played football as a kid the feeling of stepping out in a brand-new strip, so it’s great to now be in a position to return the favour and sponsor a kit of our own. We’re proud to be backing Pexhill Atletico and we wish them good luck for the coming season.”

Pictured with the new kit is Pexhill Atletico’s Mia.

Stanley consults community on Eccles affordable housing scheme

Stanley Land and Homes has held a successful community consultation event for a proposed scheme of new affordable homes in Eccles, Salford.

The development of 30 one and two-bedroom apartments is proposed for land off the A57 Liverpool Road and Alexandra Road, formerly home to the now closed St Patricroft Methodist Church.

The church has been unused for several years and Stanley’s proposed development would see it replaced with two separate buildings of 15 apartments with a communal resident garden and seating area, as well as a resident parking court.

The scheme would provide 100 per cent affordable housing on behalf of registered provider ForHousing, contributing towards efforts to alleviate the acute demand for one and two-bedroom affordable homes in Salford.

Stanley invited local people and stakeholders to view the plans and give their feedback ahead of a planning application being made in the coming months.

Chris Curtis, director of Stanley Land and Homes, said: “We know there are around 5,000 people in Salford that are on the housing waiting list for a one or two-bedroom apartment, so schemes like this are vital.

“We wanted to give the local community the opportunity to come and see the plans and ask us any questions they wished about the proposed scheme.

“It was a great chance to engage with local residents, allay any concerns, and explain how the proposed affordable homes will regenerate and revitalise this long vacant site.”

The proposed development emphasises quality design and materials. A low wall and railings will create a neatly landscaped site boundary, while the development also features electric vehicle charging, cycle storage and secure bin storage areas.

Main picture – Site layout of proposed scheme in Eccles.

Stanley delivers St Helens homes for Jigsaw

Stanley Land and Homes has delivered another development of new affordable homes in St Helens to registered provider Jigsaw Homes.

The scheme, which has regenerated part of the former Fishwicks Industrial Estate off Baxters Lane, Sutton, has seen the creation of 28 cottage apartments over two separate buildings.

The development of one-bedroom properties has a local lettings policy which gives priority to residents with a connection to the area, helping Jigsaw Homes to achieve a sustainable community.

Neil Hughes, director of Stanley, said: “This is a site that was left vacant following the demolition of derelict industrial buildings and which had become a magnet for fly tipping and anti-social behaviour. It was clear from our consultation for the site that local people wanted to see it revitalised and repurposed.

“We have a very successful long-term partnership with Jigsaw, having worked on seven projects together. We’re proud to have worked with Jigsaw’s team once again to regenerate this site, providing much-needed affordable housing for couples and single occupants in the area.”

The contractor on the project was Holmpatrick Developments and the project team included Hive Land and Planning, MPSL Planning and Design, and Alan Johnston Partnership.

The project is one of several recent projects Stanley has delivered in St Helens. The company has also helped to regenerate the nearby Lancots Lane site with 168 new homes.

A second phase at Lancots Lane is set to deliver a further 32 affordable properties and commercial premises, subject to planning permission.