Council plans to ramp up post-virus economy through construction programmes

Tameside Council has pledged to help drive the region’s recovery once the coronavirus pandemic has been defeated through housing and commercial construction programmes.

It said, despite the coronavirus lockdown leading to building work stopping on many sites throughout the region, its teams are working hard to ensure major construction projects remain on schedule.

And it declared that, experience of the 2008 economic crash, has provided a template for how the public sector can promote housing growth as a driver for economic recovery in local areas.

Major strategic projects such as the regeneration of the borough’s town centres and the proposed Garden Village at Godley Green remain the key focuses of the council’s growth agenda.

Godley Green Garden Village is still at an early stage and requires significant planning and preparation.

The council said public sector intervention of this kind will be the drivers for growth and investment that will be the cornerstone of the local economic recovery.

This will benefit local businesses and their supply chains, creating a significant number of new jobs in the borough.

By continuing to develop its inclusive growth strategies, housing strategy and implementation plans, Tameside Council said it will set out the housing need and growth aspirations which will contribute to the recovery from COVID-19.

Registered providers, developers, charities and partners working with the council have been, and will be invited to support the development and delivery of its housing and commercial delivery plans.

Forums and working groups will be refreshed and created, including potential developer and registered provider frameworks.

These will support the drive to ensure the council continues delivering its town centre regeneration plans and accelerate the number of new homes built in the borough for existing and new residents.

All partners will be encouraged to maximise their activity, use of land, property and other assets to complement the Tameside growth agenda.

This will help support the economic recovery from COVID-19 and help create new employment opportunities for local residents.

The construction industry will continue to be consulted throughout the pandemic, to ensure they have access to the Government advice and support and the council will continue to work with delivery partners to ensure its capital programme is delivered, it pledged.

Due to the pandemic, some activities cannot be carried out at the moment, due to social distancing advice.

However, all work programmes are continuing in some capacity.

A review of privately-managed high-rise buildings in Tameside is also nearing completion.

This will provide reassurances to local and national government that buildings of this type are safe.

Tameside Council also said it will continue to involve residents in future construction projects through public consultations and other online formats.

Sandy Livingstone, executive director of property at housing provider Onward Homes, said: “Construction and development will be a key part of the recovery.

“Onward Homes is committed to working in partnership with Tameside Council, to increase the level of affordable housing in the area.

“Despite the challenges the current crisis brings, we are working to support our contractors and our aim is to re-commence our development projects as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We intend to bring forward our ambitious plans for new development projects, including the redevelopment of the former District Centre site in Hattersley.”

Onward has 35,000 homes across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire, and employs around 800 people.

It recently rebranded as Onward, which includes Contour Homes, Liverpool Housing Trust, Ribble Valley Homes, Hyndburn Homes and Peak Valley Housing Association.

Cllr Oliver Ryan, Tameside Council executive member for finance and economic growth, said: “We are keen to support business where we can and will continue any work area that can reasonably be done.”