Steelwork completed at £5m Urmston shared ownership scheme

The steel framework for a £5m shared ownership housing scheme in the west Manchester suburb of Urmston has been completed.

Bolton-based contractor Challenger Building Services has reached the milestone for Southway DevCo, part of Southway Housing Trust.

The finished scheme will provide 31 shared-ownership apartments and includes 27 undercroft parking spaces.

James Eaves, of WhitleyEaves, employer’s agents, said: “This is a major development in this popular suburb and enables us to extend our reach amongst aspirational residents looking to secure a place on the housing ladder.

“Challenger are doing a great job, managing a tight schedule and we’re looking forward to watching the job continue to take shape.”

Fifteen staff are currently at work on the site on Higher Road, which was previously occupied by offices and a disused church. Work is expected to complete in March 2022.

How the completed site will look

Richard Hutchinson, Challenger managing director, said: “We are pleased to reach this milestone on such a prominent site.

“It’s a busy residential neighbourhood and we have worked closely with local people to ensure that we minimise the inevitable disruption that comes from improving neighbourhoods in this way. I’d like to thank them for their patience.”

The project has been designed by Howard Sedden Architects. Engineers are Phil Wright Associates, with building services design by JRBE.