Kick start for homes on former City stadium site

A HOUSING development on the site of Manchester City’s former Maine Road stadium has received a £9.4m boost.

Housing minister John Healey announced today that the money has been awarded to Lowry Homes through the Homes and Communities Agency’s Kickstart scheme to support its The Maine Place development in Moss Side.

It is hoped the development, which was at risk of stalling because of the recession, will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the area.

The funding will guarantee more than 150 homes are delivered in the first four phases of the nine phase development. The first two phases are scheduled for completion by March 2010.

The award is the largest in the North West to date, under the £400m national Kickstart initiative which aims to prevent important housing projects from stalling.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have consistently stressed the importance of this development to Moss Side and Rusholme so I am delighted that this funding will ensure the provision of high quality homes alongside the wider regeneration benefits.”

Becky Leighton, Lowry Homes sales and marketing director, said: “The demand for new homes in the Moss side area is strong and the investment provided has given us the boost we need to move forward with our commitment to build good quality new affordable homes on this exciting development.”