Housing association in £2m deal to bring more affordable homes to Rochdale
A deal for more affordable, sustainable homes in Rochdale has been signed between First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) and development partner, Armstrong Projects.
The £2.1m investment is part of FCHO’s strategy to deliver 1,100 new, high quality, energy efficient homes in Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Kirklees, and Calderdale 2020-2026.
Under the deal, FCHO will bring forward 14 one- and two-bedroom apartments where the Smithy Bridge pub in Littleborough has stood derelict for a number of years.
All properties are designed to be highly sustainable, in line with the housing association’s drive to build green homes and support customers to save energy and money.
The eco-friendly design will see all homes equipped with increased levels of insulation plus energy-efficient windows, along with a low carbon, electrical heating system to provide heating and hot water.
Electric vehicle charging points are also planned to facilitate green travel.
Properties at the scheme will be for affordable rent – set at no more than 80% of market rent. They will be managed by FCHO and allocated to customers on Rochdale Council’s housing register.
The project will be part-funded by a £672,000 Homes England grant.
Construction will get under way this month and homes will be ready for customers to move into in winter 2024.
FCHO’s director of development, Joel Owen, said: “Demand for affordable housing locally continues to outstrip supply and we’re pleased to be building more desperately needed, sustainable homes in the Rochdale borough, which is one of the key areas in our development strategy.
“Rejuvenating brownfield plots, as we are doing here, is also important to us. With its good location and excellent commuter links, this site is prime for bringing into residential use and enhancing the local area.”
In the past three years, FCHO has delivered 74 new affordable apartments and family homes across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, and work to build 131 new homes is currently under way at four further sites in the borough.
