More than 500 new homes are heading for former green belt farmland on Chester’s outskirts.

Building has started at Taylor Wimpey’s Kings Moat Garden Village development on Wrexham Road where the farmland was controversially released from the green belt by Cheshire West and Chester Council as part of the local plan.

Overall the new neighbourhood will eventually provide for up to 1,300 homes.

When complete the Taylor Wimpey development will consist of 513 properties and offer prospective buyers a range of two to five-bedroom homes as well as one and two-bedroom apartments.

Doors to the development, said to be ‘much sought after’, open soon when house hunters will have the opportunity to visit the sales information centre and reserve a new home.

The former farmland where the homes will be built off Wrexham Road.

At a recent first-look event the home builder saw interest from dozens of house hunters from across the area where they were able to see detailed plans, find out more about the local community and imagine life at the development.

Stuart Craig, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, said: “Kings Moat Garden Village will deliver much-needed high-quality homes in Chester and the surrounding area and it’s exciting that works have finally commenced.

“As well as building homes to meet local needs we’ll also be building 154 affordable homes and the development is in a prime location close to great transport links and amenities.

“I’ve no doubt one of the greatest appeals to the development will be the broad selection of homes available and potential buyers will be able to purchase using the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme.”

Chester residents examining the Wrexham Road development plans in Lache Library.

Through the scheme, eligible buyers, both first-time buyers and existing alike, can secure a new-build property with just a 5% deposit and an equity loan of up to 20% from the Government.

In partnership with Redrow, which is also building on the consortium site, Taylor Wimpey has contributed in excess of £6m to Cheshire West and Chester Council to develop and enhance the community infrastructure and facilities.

Earlier this year councillors overwhelmingly approved the new neighbourhood, which will lead to a sizable growth in the city, by nine votes to one.

It will include a new park to protect a medieval moat site which is a designated scheduled monument.

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