Contractors begin work on new phase of £22m housing improvement strategy

Plans to make major improvements on thousands of homes in the Salford area have entered the next phase of development, with Greater Manchester-based contractors appointed to carry out the work.

The £1.9m scheme to revamp another 250 homes in Charlestown and Seedley has begun, after 8,500 properties were transferred to housing association Selix Homes from Salford Council earlier this year.

Oldham-based contractor Emanuel Whittaker has started improving nearly 100 homes in Seedley’s Meadowgate Estate, while Wigan-based building firm A Connolly has commenced work on 150 homes on Charlestown’s Gerald Road Estate.

After getting underway in April this year, the project’s first phase, which has seen improvements made to 400 homes on the Tootal Road and South Ordsall estates in Weaste, is nearing completion.

The contracts director at Emanuel Whittaker, John Gallagher, said: “Tenants on the Tootal Estate are thrilled with their refurbished, modern homes and are giving us 100% satisfaction scores and we are looking forward to starting on Meadowgate and replicating that success.”

The project is the continuation of a two-year investment plan by Salix Homes that will see £22m of improvements made on 2,200 homes.

A Connolly’s managing director, Simon Harrison, commented: “Gerald Road Estate in Charlestown will be another excellent refurbishment scheme for us to deliver on behalf of Salix Homes and further extends our track-record for improving the homes of residents in Salford.

“Community will be a big focus for us and we’re also keen to support the local pound and will continue using local companies and employing local people where possible.”

The transfer of the properties from Salford Council to Salix Homes is expected to unlock £75m in investment between now and 2020.

Salix Homes’ head of investment, Mark Foster, said: “We are now delighted to be starting work on the next phase of our project which will ensure a further 250 families and individuals in Salford have the new and improved homes that they deserve.

“We are confident that our ambitious regeneration plans for our homes and communities will help deliver a housing service that Salford can be proud of for generations to come.”

Work on the Gerald Road Estate and Meadowgate Estate homes is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →