Property round-up: New affordable homes in Rochdale, Bruntwood lets 9,000 sq ft in north Liverpool; and more

BRIGHTER Horizons, part of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), has completed the first phase of a new-build affordable homes project at Kirkholt, Rochdale.

The construction of six new bungalows represents the first affordable housing scheme to be built in the area for more than 15 years.

Visitors attending a ceremony marking their completion were also given a tour at a second, larger scheme on the same estate.

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of RBH, said: “The completion of our first new build in Kirkholt is an important milestone for the area itself and for Brighter Horizons.

In 2010, our Brighter Kirkholt scheme received the biggest general needs HCA funding allocation in the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) region. It is exciting to see our plans take shape and become a reality.”

Much of the Kirkholt estate was built in the late 1940s and the long-term vision for the area is to offer a mix of modern housing for sale and rent and much-improved facilities.

The new bungalows have been designed to meet the Lifetime Homes Standard. The larger development will include three further bungalows as well as 25 three-bedroom houses and two four-bedroom houses.

These properties will include homes for sale, rent and shared ownership and it is hoped they will help to create a demand for private housing in the area.
Some £4.1m is being spent on the new build element – £2.3m of which has been provided by the Homes & Communities Agency.

Deborah McLaughlin, North West executive director for the HCA, said: “It’s really encouraging to see the regeneration of Kirkholt continuing to gather pace and I’m pleased our support has allowed Brighter Horizons to complete such good quality new homes.

“It’s thanks to the hard work and dedication of, RBH and their partners that schemes like this are making sure that the long-term vision for the area is becoming a reality.”

The development team includes contractor Southdales, Great Places Housing Group, Kevin Shea Associates, Pozzoni architects and structural engineers Trevena Blake.

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PROPERTY company Bruntwood has secured four new lettings totalling nearly 9,000 sq ft in two of its north Liverpool buildings.

Geodis Wilson UK, Clarion Advocates, Senica and Ingeus UK have agreed lettings in offices in Bootle and Seaforth.

Freight manager Geodis Wilson UK increased the amount of space it has taken at Burlington House by taking 2,515 sq ft on the 3rd floor on a 10-year lease.

Recruitment agency Ingeus UK Limited is moving into a 3,826 sq ft suite on the ground floor of St Hughs, Bootle on a five-year lease.

Training service provider Senica has also signed a four-year lease for 1,500 sq ft of space at St Hughs, while Leeds-based solicitors firm Clarion Advocates has expanded its north west office and moved into a 1,100 sq ft office in the building on a three-year lease.

Colin Forshaw, head of sales at Bruntwood, said: “The recent spate of lettings in our north Liverpool offices is testament to the value Bruntwood offers outside of the city centre. Companies are realising they don’t have to rent in the heart of the city to receive the best deal. As such, we are pleased to welcome a series of new lettings at St Hughs and Burlington House.”

Bruntwood owns nine major office buildings in Liverpool city centre, including Cotton Exchange, Oriel Chambers and The Plaza.

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STOCKPORT’S Merseyway shopping centre is set to be almost fully occupied over the busy Christmas retail period as five retailers have agreed to take temporary space.

Managing agent GVA has agreed deals to let five units with a combined 12,518 sq ft of space to Past Times and Calendar Club, clothing store Kiwi Fashions, Christmas goods specialist Joe Mulhearn and footwear store Solewish.

GVA said the temporary lets are testament to the current investment in the centre – footfall figures have risen by 20%, boosted by the arrival of fashion retailer Primark.

Senior director Mark Rawstron said: “The current outlook for the shopping centre is extremely positive. Merseyway is not only attracting new tenants, but also retaining current tenants.

Councillor Dave Goddard, leader of Stockport Council, said: “This is great news for Stockport. It’s good for visitors and good for investment.”

Savills and Tushingham Moore are joint letting agents for Merseyway shopping centre.