A development of new homes in Bolton is providing new residents with the stability to set down roots at a rent they can afford.
Not-for-profit housing providers Irwell Valley Homes and Be One Homes have worked in partnership to deliver 116 new affordable homes as part of the regeneration of the former Loco Works in Horwich.
The development offers a mix of shared ownership houses - helping people take their first steps onto the property ladder – and affordable rent houses and apartments, where the rent is set at 80% of the market rate for the area.
Customers will also benefit from cheaper energy bills, thanks to green features including enhanced insultation and solar panels.
Bolton North East MP Kirith Entwistle, who has recently been appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, cut the ribbon to officially open the new homes - before meeting with residents to hear about the difference they are already making.
New resident Carla Glendening was over the moon to receive the news she and her teenage daughter Lily had been successful in securing one of the new homes, after five years on the housing waiting list.
Carla said: “I have been renting privately, but the rent has just been going up and up. Costs for everything are tight right now.
“I know the weather has been so warm recently so it’s not really mattered, but everything is so well insulated, we’ll be saving money on heating costs too when the winter kicks in. I’m also starting a new job nearby. It all really helps financially.
“Moving in with Irwell Valley Homes also feels more secure, like we can put down roots and look to the future. Lily is so excited to move in, get her bedroom how she’d like it and make it her own.
“It’s been lovely to see her excitement, and we just can’t wait for the fresh start that this new home brings for us.”
Sasha Deepwell, Chief Executive of Irwell Valley Homes who delivered 63 homes as part of their £15.3m development, said: “A safe, secure and affordable home is the foundation for a good life – not just by providing somewhere to live, but by improving health, wellbeing, independence and financial security.
"The need for affordable housing has never been greater, and we are ambitious about the role we can play in meeting that challenge across the region.
“Across Greater Manchester, we’re delivering new social homes, alongside place-making estate regeneration, specialist supported housing and investment in existing homes. By working with partners to meet the different needs of our communities, we can help tackle the housing crisis while supporting regional and national house-building priorities.”
Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East, said: “Delivering more affordable and social housing is absolutely essential to meeting Bolton’s housing needs.
“I’m pleased to see local housing associations working together to help deliver new homes, and it was so nice to meet the residents and see how happy they were to finally be off the housing waiting list and settled into their brand-new property. I hope that we can replicate projects like this and help bring more brownfield sites back to life with quality homes for Bolton.”
Noel Sharpe, Chief Executive of Be One Homes, said: “It’s been incredibly rewarding to join our development partners on site and see the positive impact the homes at Loco Works are already having for residents moving in. There are so many people in search of an affordable, good quality home and that makes our new-build activity so important.
“We’re proud of the difference these homes will make to so many people’s lives and we’re looking to forward to delivering many more affordable homes in the coming years, as well as investing significantly in our existing properties.”
Both housing associations benefited from Homes England funding and grants from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Land fund – with a total of £6.4m in Homes England investment and £2.3m from the GMCA.
The project has also delivered various social value initiatives in the area, through construction partner Caddick, including supporting apprenticeships and careers events with local schools; donations to local charities and time spent transforming a local Japanese garden.
Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West commented: “It has been a privilege to deliver the new affordable homes at Rivington Chase on behalf of our partners, Be One Homes and Irwell Valley Homes, knowing that they will provide a better quality of life and make a real difference for local residents.
“At Caddick, our commitment to our partners and the area extends beyond the construction site and we are incredibly proud of the social value we have generated for the Horwich community throughout this project. Our team dedicated over 20 hours to volunteering, supported eight apprentices and donated over £2,400 to local charities, and it has been an honour to play our part in creating a lasting legacy for the town and the wider area.”