What is AHR’s role in the Academy Way proposals?

We are leading the design of the Academy Way scheme in Warrington, working closely with Habiko to reimagine this brownfield site as a low-carbon, landscape-led neighbourhood. Our focus is on creating a place that feels welcoming, connected and shaped around the needs of the community.

What kind of neighbourhood is AHR proposing?

Our plans explore around 240 affordable homes arranged around a generous shared courtyard. The design brings more greenery into the town centre, encourages walkable, car-light living and creates a calm, people-focused environment through thoughtful landscape-led design.

How will AHR’s design improve the experience of the surrounding streets?

Today, the site feels closed off and inactive. Our proposals introduce more welcoming entrances, active ground-floor frontages and clearer routes that link more naturally with Time Square and the wider town centre, helping the area feel safer, greener and easier to navigate.

How can the community influence AHR’s design as it evolves?

Public consultation plays a key role in shaping the proposals. We’re listening carefully to local views, and all feedback gathered will inform the next stages of design before a planning application is submitted. Our aim is to create a neighbourhood that genuinely reflects what local people want and need.

Project News

Helping to shape a welcoming new neighbourhood at Academy Way, Warrington

Min Read

by AHR

Public consultation has now begun on early proposals for a new residential neighbourhood at Academy Way in Warrington town centre.

We’re proudly leading the design of the scheme, which is being delivered by Habiko, a joint venture between Pension Insurance Corporation, Muse and Homes England, and will transform the brownfield site into a low-carbon, landscape-led neighbourhood.

Our plans, which form the next phase of the wider Time Square regeneration, set out 240 affordable new homes arranged around a generous shared courtyard.

A landscape-led neighbourhood shaped by its story

At the heart of our design are two buildings wrapped around a central garden. The courtyard draws inspiration from the site’s former gasholders, using soft circular forms to create places to pause and connect.

The homes include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments, reflecting demand for high quality living in the town centre. Private terraces will overlook the courtyard, with planting edges helping the development sit comfortably along surrounding streets.

Bringing more greenery and life into the town centre

Today, the site feels closed off, with long blank frontages and a large surface car park. Our proposals aim to change this, introducing more visible entrances, active ground-floor frontages and clearer routes through and around the neighbourhood.

Have your say

This consultation is an important opportunity for the community to help shape a sustainable, people-focused neighbourhood on this prominent brownfield site.

All feedback will be reviewed and used to refine the proposals before a planning application is submitted.

Share your feedback here

At AHR, we know that the best places grow from genuine collaboration. We’re looking forward to hearing local views and continuing to shape proposals that support Warrington’s future.

In the meantime, you can explore more of our community-focused residential work here.

Frequently asked questions

: We are leading the design of the Academy Way scheme in Warrington, working closely with Habiko to reimagine this brownfield site as a low-carbon, landscape-led neighbourhood. Our focus is on creating a place that feels welcoming, connected and shaped around the needs of the community.
: Our plans explore around 240 affordable homes arranged around a generous shared courtyard. The design brings more greenery into the town centre, encourages walkable, car-light living and creates a calm, people-focused environment through thoughtful landscape-led design.
: We’ve looked carefully at the site’s story and surroundings. The central garden draws inspiration from the former gasholders, using soft circular forms to create places to pause and connect. This heritage-led approach helps give the neighbourhood its own identity while feeling rooted in Warrington.
: Today, the site feels closed off and inactive. Our proposals introduce more welcoming entrances, active ground-floor frontages and clearer routes that link more naturally with Time Square and the wider town centre, helping the area feel safer, greener and easier to navigate.
: Public consultation plays a key role in shaping the proposals. We’re listening carefully to local views, and all feedback gathered will inform the next stages of design before a planning application is submitted. Our aim is to create a neighbourhood that genuinely reflects what local people want and need.