Council Leader gives seal of approval to Whitefield affordable homes
The Leader of Bury Council has welcomed the completion of 30 new affordable homes in Whitefield, delivered through a partnership with Onward Homes.
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien was joined by Bury’s Strategic Housing Delivery Manager, Jackie Summerscales, on a recent visit to view the completed development.
Wheatfields Court sits on the former site of the Wheatfields Day Centre in Whitefield. The development comprises 14 homes for shared ownership and 16 homes for affordable rent, with Bury Council managing the allocations process for the rental homes in perpetuity.
Onward received brownfield funding from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to help bring the derelict, overgrown Wheatfields site back into use for the local community. The development was also funded through Onward’s Strategic Partnership with Homes England, which will support the housing association to build 5,000 new homes by 2030.
To ensure a local legacy from the project, contractor John Southworth supported seven community projects with social value investments. This included the development of a green space for children with additional needs at nearby Mersey Drive Primary School.
Sandy Livingstone, Executive Director of Growth at Onward, said:
“We’re extremely grateful for the support and collaboration of Bury Council, as we continue to invest in the local area. We are committed to improving the quality and choice of affordable housing in Bury, as well as investing heavily into our existing homes.
“Through strong partnership working, we can continue to provide local customers with homes that are affordable to rent or buy, and affordable to run in the long term.”
Bury Council is currently managing the disposal of several other brownfield sites across the borough and anticipate the delivery of 366 new affordable homes over the next few years.
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council, said:
“It’s really pleasing to see another derelict brownfield site transformed into new homes that are both affordable and accessible for local people to enjoy. It’s no surprise that the homes were so popular on this development, as the finished quality is excellent.
“Bury Council worked closely with Onward to agree the right housing mix at Wheatfields, to ensure that local people continue to benefit from new residential development in the area.”