Village home for housebuilder Luke

For 27-year-old Luke Hodgkinson has helped build the homes in Foxhall Village where he has chosen to live.

Born and bred in Blackpool, Luke is assistant site manager at the scheme which is transforming a former rundown part of the resort.

He said: “I’ve grown up and lived in this part of Blackpool my whole life so it’s really rewarding to watch and play a part in its redevelopment.

“It’s also given me the chance to get on the property ladder and buy my first home.

“All the facilities are right on my doorstep like the gym, cinema and restaurant complex which is great, and I’m also a big Blackpool FC fan so being right next to Bloomfield Road is handy.”

The scheme is being constructed by Hollinwood Homes, the residential arm of Marcus Worthington Group, in partnership with Blackpool Council, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Great Places Housing Group, as part of a wider regeneration of the area and the creation of a new community.

Once complete, it will contain 400 brand new homes, all named after footballing heroes from Blackpool FC, including Jimmy Armfield and Stanley Matthews.

Rik Faircloth, development manager at Hollinwood Homes, said: “It’s a measure of quality that someone who is helping to create the development has decided to make it his own home.

“Luke is a local person who not only gained a job as a result of the project but a home too, which reinforces the community and regeneration aspect of what we are trying to achieve, providing a place where people can be proud to work and live.”

Foxhall Village collected the ‘most innovative scheme award’ at the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) North West Planning Achievement Awards in 2015, and has also been shortlisted for a RICS North West 2016 award in the regeneration category.