First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) is celebrating the delivery of 47 eco-friendly family homes in Middleton in a £12.2m deal with developer, Lovell.
The 55-home Eden Park development delivered by Lovell consists of open market and “affordable” housing as well as a children’s play area, open space, pathways and connecting roads. Last month, the housing association formally took ownership of the 47 affordable tenure properties.
The energy-saving family homes are highly insulated and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B rating. Each is also equipped with an electric vehicle charging point.
All residents have now completed phased moves into the properties, which consist of 19 shared ownership homes made up of one two-bedroom property, 14 three bed houses, and four four-bed homes; 11 affordable rent properties, six two-bed homes, one three-bed house, and four four-bed homes; and 17 rent-to-buy properties, two two-bed homes, eight three-bed homes and seven four-bed homes.
The development on the former Rothay Drive clearance site attracted £2.4m Homes England grant funding.
The project forms part of FCHO’s green focus and sustainability targets and a wider strategy to deliver more much-needed high quality, sustainable properties in Oldham and surrounding areas to meet increasing demand across the region.
Steve Agger, executive director of homes at FCHO, said: “We are committed to providing high quality family homes that, as well as being environmentally friendly, offer different buying and renting options so people living in the communities we are based in and serve can get on the property ladder and secure a home that meets their needs.”
Tahreen Shad, regional partnerships director for Lovell, added: “Eden Park is the final scheme within the significant regeneration scheme for Langley, Middleton where Lovell has delivered more than 500 homes.
“The area is widely regarded as one of Manchester’s top commuting towns and an ideal location for growing families. We were able to draw on our experience of delivering successful regeneration projects in the region, such as our work in Pendleton in Salford, and Miles Platting and Edge Lane in Manchester.
“It’s great to see the completion of Eden Park, and we are proud to have worked with FCHO in providing much-needed affordable housing alongside an enhanced public realm. Following on from Langley, we look forward to more collaborations with FCHO to progress similar opportunities in Greater Manchester.”
In the past three years, FCHO says it has delivered 134 new affordable, sustainable one-bedroom apartments, and two-, three- and four-bedroom family homes across the Rochdale borough.
Work is currently underway on around 130 homes at four further sites in Middleton, Heywood and Littleborough to help boost supply for people in housing need.
In Heywood, the housing provider is building 40 one- and two-bedroom apartments at Rochdale Road East with Challenger Building Services.
The organisation is bringing forward 45 family houses at Kellen Homes’ Mill Vale development, and 29 bungalows and houses at Mossylea Close with Lancet Homes, all in Middleton.
In Littleborough, construction of 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments is underway with Armstrong Projects.
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