Contractor appointed to build 172 rental homes
ONE Manchester has appointed building contractor Keepmoat to build 172 new homes in the Hulme area of the city.
The homes on Royce Road and Leaf Street will be for rent and building work will now start following recent planning approval from Manchester City Council.
The mixture of two-bed apartments and three-bed townhouses, named ‘Hulme Living’, will be delivered by One Manchester, the community development and place-making organisation with responsibility for managing over 12,500 homes across south and east Manchester.
Keepmoat was chosen for the build having demonstrated major commitment to apprentice and training schemes, which will add significant social value to the project from the very start.
During the 18 month build period, the employment and training programme will see a significant number of full- time apprenticeships, across a range of disciplines, offered to the local community.
In addition, Keepmoat will offer a range of work placements to local people to help raise awareness of the opportunities the construction industry can offer.
Keepmoat will also be adopting a local supply chain policy, ensuring local companies are given the opportunity to benefit from the works, whilst community funding will be available to support local third sector organisations and community groups.
Keepmoat staff will also make ‘voluntary’ hours available each year to support local community groups.
Work to clear the sites is set to begin this month with construction starting in the spring.
Dave Power, chief executive of One Manchester, said: “Hulme Living is an extremely exciting project for One Manchester as for the first time we will be building new market rent homes and all the revenue generated will be reinvested into our work in the local area and our communities.
“With new apprentices, work placements and many other direct community benefits, Hulme Living will have a long-lasting, positive impact on this part of the city and we are looking forward to work getting underway.”
Frank Mondino, area director for Keepmoat in the North West said: “Securing this project demonstrates our knowledge and expertise across the sector. We are delighted to be working in partnership with One Manchester on this exciting project to deliver this high quality and highly sustainable living environment.”
“Keepmoat is committed to regenerating and transforming local communities, and this scheme will allow us to ensure that local people benefit from the investment being made in Hulme.”
Stuart Rogers, associate director at AA Projects, project manager of the scheme, said: “The schemes being delivered by One Manchester have been designed to a high standard by signature Architects, Mecanoo and OMI Architects. Keepmoat have engaged with the team very well, and we look forward to commencing the construction phase.
“It is refreshing to be able to lead a development that truly believes in the value of engaging the local community and creating a sense of place.”
Hulme Living is One Manchester’s first new build scheme since the organisation formed in 2015 from the merger of Eastlands Homes and City South Manchester Housing Trust.
All revenues earned from the new homes will be reinvested back into community development programmes – including future housebuilding – to help improve lives and the wellbeing of people living in One Manchester’s communities.
The new homes on Royce Road will consist of 67 two-bedroom apartments designed by OMI architects and will be situated on a corner site where Royce Road meets Chorlton Road.
The development on Leaf Street will have 105 new homes adjacent to Princess Parkway. Designed by Mecanoo, the site will offer a mixture of two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom townhouses.
