Forrest completes £3.3m new build scheme in Salford

BOLTON social housing contractor Forrest has completed a £3.3m new build social housing project for City West Housing Trust in Salford.

The 15-month project included the construction of 39 new affordable homes spread over three sites, including one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom bungalows and family houses.

As part of the regeneration of Salford, the scheme was developed on a former residential site, which had been empty for a number of years, as part ofthe Trust’s transformation of the area.

It was the first new build development that Forrest has carried out for the registered provider in the organisations’ six years of collaboration.

The homes have been built to sustainability code level three – under the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes – to minimise residents’ energy consumption and emissions.

Neil Ashworth, head of new build at Forrest, said: “There is a significant lack of affordable housing in the North West and using vacant space is key to solving this problem. City West has developed an innovative solution to using the empty site to help plug the shortfall as part of their regeneration of Salford.

“Forrest has worked in partnership with City West Housing Trust for over six years. This project adds to our portfolio of successes, which have included hundreds of solar PV installations and refurbishment work to homes, helping regenerate the area for social housing customers.”

Nigel Sedman, director of Investment and Regeneration at City West, said: “Through our multi-million pound development programme we are committed to building more affordable homes and supporting those living in our communities in desperate need of a home.

“We’re delighted that the Mount Skip development is now complete and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to improve lives and communities in Salford.”