Awards hope for new homes in North Manchester
A housing scheme that’s helping to regenerate neighbourhoods in North Manchester and providing new homes for local people is hoping to scoop a national award.
Redrow is one of six developers vying for votes in the ‘best urban regeneration’ category of the First Time Buyer Magazine Awards for its redevelopment of several sites in the Moston and Harpurhey wards of the city.
Local people can register their vote by logging on to ftbawards.com/online-voting.html before March 28. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on April 20, hosted by TV personality Linda Barker.
Tony Stevens, managing director of Redrow Homes (Lancashire), commented: “We’re delighted that our work to provide 450 new homes in Moston and Harpurhey has been recognised by First Time Buyer Magazine. Being shortlisted for the awards is testament to our commitment to providing high quality housing to revitalise these areas and offering local people a real opportunity to get onto the property ladder.
“It also recognises that we are providing employment for local people.”
The sites being developed are within the designated Manchester and Salford Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, which is the focus of a major ongoing programme of social, economic and physical regeneration.
Redrow is playing its part in breathing new life into the area by working with Manchester City Council to provide good quality housing stock in areas that had previously been cleared of poor quality homes.
A derelict pub and two empty shops, which had become an eyesore, were subsequently demolished and the land they occupied has been incorporated into the Hanson Gardens phase of the development, providing up to 10 additional homes.
A minimum of 10% of the workers constructing the homes live in the surrounding area.
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Improving housing quality and choice in the area is a central part of our strategy to ensure it is a popular place to live. These new homes in Moston and Harpurhey are providing affordable, desirable housing options and adding momentum to the regeneration of North Manchester, complementing all the investment that's taking place there.”
The regeneration project was launched in summer 2010 and, since then, Redrow has sold more than 60 homes at Hanson Gardens, off Lightbowne Road and Kenyon Gardens, in Kenyon Lane. A further phase, named Woodville Gardens, off Moston Lane, in Harpurhey, has just launched.
Every home is offered with the potential to defer 25% of the initial purchase price for up to 10 years through a shared equity scheme administered by the City Council. Priority is given to existing Harpurhey and Moston residents, who receive the first opportunity to buy the new properties as each new site is released for sale.
Prices start from just £104,995 for a two-bedroom home or as little as £78,746 using the shared equity scheme. Customers may only need a 5% deposit, which could be as little as £5,250 to secure a home.
“The combination of the quality of the homes, low prices and the help of the shared equity scheme has helped make the development a success. Buyers have included local people, those from the wider Manchester area and those relocating to work in the city,” Tony added.
For more information about Redrow homes in Moston and Harpurhey, visit redrow.co.uk.
