Work starts on £22m Salford scheme

Work is underway on a multimillion-pound redevelopment project that will bring more than 100 affordable homes to Salford.

Housing association Salix Homes has appointed contractor Willmott Dixon Partnership Homes to deliver the £22.5m Canon Green Campus development on Canon Green Drive in Trinity.

The project will see 1960s tower block Canon Green Court transformed along with neighbouring apartment block Westminster House, which will undergo an external facelift.

A new 11-storey apartment block is being built within the grounds of the expansive site, comprising of 108 one and two-bedroom affordable apartments, which will be available under the Rent to Buy scheme.

Contractors are now on site with both the refurbishment and the new-build construction set to run concurrently over the next two years.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “The start of work on our Canon Green Campus development marks a pivotal moment for Salix Homes and for Salford, and we look forward to seeing work progress on site over the next two years.

“This is the largest affordable housing development in the area and we are confident that this ambitious scheme will make a valuable contribution to delivering the high quality, affordable homes that Salford desperately needs.

“Canon Green Court is an iconic building on the city’s skyline, but it has suffered from lack of investment over the years. We are proud that we can now deliver on our promise to the existing residents to refurbish their homes and create modern apartments fit for the future.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “With our track-record for creating new homes in Greater Manchester, we’re proud to be working alongside Salix Homes on what is a much-needed, exciting and transformational investment for the Salford community.

“Together, we share a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy for existing and future residents who will continue to play a central role in shaping these plans.”

The development, which has been partially funded by a £3.8m grant from Homes England for the new block, is expected to be completed in spring 2021.