Subject to planning consent, Lovell will start construction work in late summer 2017 on a £53m housing development at Clayton-le-Woods on land purchased from the HCA.

It will create 198 homes for open market sale and 22 affordable starter homes – some of the first to be built in the attractive, semi-rural village location.

Situated at the northern edge of Clayton-le-Woods, the development is located close to the 650-acre Cuerden Valley Park and just minutes from the M6.

Lovell regional managing director Nigel Yates said: “Our house styles have been designed with a variety of buyers in mind, from families to young professionals, while our starter homes will help first-time purchasers take their initial step on to the housing ladder.”

Solar panels installed on all properties will significantly reduce carbon emissions, achieving a 19% improvement on current Building Regulations.

Lovell, which aims to divert 97% of all construction waste from landfill through its national War on Waste strategy, will recycle and re-use waste materials wherever possible.