Nearly 150 homes built on two brownfield sites in Leigh and Wigan have been handed over by housing association Torus as part of its large-scale investment in the borough.

In Plank Lane, Leigh 78 apartments and nine bungalows for over 55s have been completed in a £20 million scheme.

Named Furnace Court in homage of the former Bickershaw Colliery nearby, the 1.2 acre site had sat empty in recent years.

Now, 50 one-bedroom and 28 two-bedroom apartments as well as nine bungalows featuring private gardens stand on the land with properties available at Affordable Rent.

The scheme is fully accessible for residents with gentle gradients removing the need for steps and wide paths for wheelchair use.

Built by Caddick Construction, the properties are thermally efficient and feature modern conveniences to provide comfortable, safe homes for residents.

As a former commercial brownfield site, there was little greenery so extensive planting has taken place with trees, ornamental shrubs and hedges introduced to make Furnace Court homely.

Groundcover, lawns, paved areas and meandering paths with benches to relax on have also been landscaped for residents to enjoy.

The second site transformed by Torus is in Frog Lane, Wigan.

This £12.5 million development is the final phase of a brownfield regeneration of a key site close to central Wigan with 60 two and three-bedroom houses for Affordable Rent built by Casey Group.

Torus Group Chief Executive, Steve Coffey, said:

“The borough of Wigan is an important growth and investment area for us with six schemes delivered or underway the past 12 months.

“We have made a long-term commitment to build at scale to address housing demand and create communities local people are proud of.

“Furnace Court and Frog Lane cater for a wide range of people, meet local needs and have transformed two unused brownfield sites making a positive addition to existing communities.

“The apartments, bungalows and houses are of a high standard but are offered at Affordable Rent so they are accessible to all.”

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare, said:

“It is great to see these homes completed and ready for people to move in; bringing brownfield land back to life and creating much-needed affordable homes in our borough.

“Bungalows will be a real asset helping to meet the needs of our older population. We are proud to work in partnership with developers and housing associations to build homes and create new communities.”