We want developers in Salford – assistant mayor

SALFORD’S assistant mayor for strategic planning has sent out a “we want to deal with you” message to developers.

Cllr Derek Antrobus was speaking at the official launch of the ground-breaking public private sector (PRS) housing launch in Lower Broughton on Friday.

It marked the initial phase of a project to build 927 new rental homes being developed across the North West – in Norris Green Liverpool and at Lower Broughton – at a total cost of £100m, creating one of the first large scale PRS platforms in the UK.

The scheme is a joint venture between Sigma Capital,  Gatehouse Bank – backed by Barclays – Countryside Properties, Salford City Council, Urban Vision and Direct Lettings, which is administering the renting process.

“A lot of other authorities I talk to are doing their best to stave off developers from their areas,” said Cllr Antrobus. “But we see it as our job to make sure the city gets developed.”

Cllr Antrobus pointed out that it was  10 years ince the partnership agreement was formed, and there had been many obstacles to the coming-to-fruition of what a a new concept in the UK property market – private rented homes which were houses and not apartment blocks.

“It’s not just about quality building, but also about getting the right mix,” he said. “There is social housing, but things brings something new. PRS is a growing sector of the market because families are finding it so difficult to access mortgages to buy.

“We recognise that we need to make things happen. Planners need to understand the importance of innovation and to understand the market better and that’s what this project does.”

Sigma’s property investment director Gwynn Thomson said the project was something which the partners involved in the scheme should be “rightly proud of”.
“It’s taken a few blood, sweat and tears to get here but we have all had belief in a vision to get there,” said.

Direct Lettings director Paul Staley said the developments would make the partnership the biggest PRS landlord in the UK outside London.

“We have already had a great deal of interest in the PRS homes at Lower Broughton and we have a number of residents ready to move in. Difrent (the brand name of the lettings agency)  is a completely new offering in the marketplace and one that is clearly exciting residents in the region.”