New build homes for Kirkholt

Harry Govan (Vision for Kirkholt), Gary Sladen (RBH), Philomena Renshaw, (Brighter Horizons Board) Clare Tostevin (RBH) and Councillor Pat Colclough

Brighter Horizons, the charitable development subsidiary of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has started work in the Kirkholt area of Rochdale to build new homes.

The new build homes are part of a bid to attract wider private sector investment to the neighbourhood.

Clare Tostevin Head of New Business and Regeneration for RBH said: “The new build is a vital part of the overall Masterplan for this HMR Intervention neighbourhood and will help encourage further investment in the area from the private sector.”

Much of the Kirkholt estate was built in the late 1940s and the long-term vision for the area is to offer a mix of modern housing for sale and rent and much improved facilities.

Phase one of the new build will see Brighter Horizons, supported by Great Places Housing Group, developing six two- bedroom bungalows on the site of former garages. The scheme has been funded by a £420,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and prudential borrowing by Brighter Horizons.

The bungalows which are for older people have parking spaces and gardens and have been designed to lifetime home standards.

“This is the first new build on Kirkholt for some years,” said Ms Tostevin. “It demonstrates confidence in Kirkholt as a neighbourhood where quality new homes can be delivered.”

Brighter Horizons will continue with phase two of its new build plans early in 2011 when it will start work on the development of 30 new homes.

They will include three units for new build home buy, two for outright sale and the rest for affordable rent. This major development has been supported by HCA grant funding of £1.9m and will provide much needed family homes.

Deborah McLaughlin, Director North West at the HCA said: “I am pleased that we have been able to support this key scheme in Kirkholt. It is an important step in increasing housing choices in the area for local people.”

RBH established Brighter Horizons to enable it to develop new homes in Rochdale. The new homes will be maintained and managed by RBH.

Ms Tostevin added: “The start on site of phase one of the new build homes sends a clear message to the existing community and to private sector investors and developers - there is a new homes market on Kirkholt.

“It’s important to ensure the new development integrates new and existing residents within the neighbourhood and RBH’s dedicated Priority Area team based on the estate will play a lead role in providing and facilitating initiatives to do this.”