HCA cash kick-starts Countour’s St Mary’s scheme
CONTOUR Housing has appointed Bramall Construction to start work on a scheme to provide 93 affordable homes and a new neighbourhood Park in the St Mary’s area of Oldham.
The social housing landlord has appointed a contractor on the site after receiving a £7.83m grant from the Homes and Communities Agency to kick-start work on the scheme.
Deborah McLaughlin, North West executive director at the HCA, said: “I am pleased that the St Mary’s scheme can now be started with our support. We have worked closely with Contour Housing Group, Oldham Council and the local community for over a decade to help bring this high profile scheme forward, so it is great to see that these high quality new affordable homes can now be built for local people.”
Vicky Carroll, assistant director at Contour Housing Group, said: “The site was previously poor quality deck access flats and has been standing derelict for some time. Now the area will be revitalised with the development of new homes, landscaping, infrastructure and a public open space.”
Contour said that 52 of the homes will be built for the rental market and 41 will be offered through shared equity or “rent to sale” schemes through the Build HomeBuy initiative.
Bounded by St. Marys Way, Egerton Street and Horsedge Street close to Oldham town centre, the 2.2 hectare site had been identified as a key regeneration area for Oldham Council.
Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for community services and housing, said:
“As well as providing much needed high quality family housing, it will ensure this gateway to Oldham is transformed by a development that we can all be proud of.”
