Member Article

Final push on £120m housing scheme

Plans to replace the last 150 homes as part of a £120m Salford regeneration scheme have been given the go ahead by Salford City Council. The redevelopment of the High Street estate, off Fitzwarren Street, Pendleton, is the final piece in the jigsaw of a 10 year regeneration plan which has begun to transform the area. The decision to clear the estate was made in 2008 and 584 properties have already been cleared, with tenants and owners successfully re-housed. Salix Homes, which now manages the properties, will now draw up plans to work in phases with the remaining 149 residents to help them successfully relocate. Because of changes to national housing policy that have created a surge in demand for one bedroom properties, Fitzwarren Court, originally earmarked for demolition, will be retained along with 10 terraced houses in nearby Rosehill Close. Salix Homes will look to modernise and improve both the 135-bedroom tower block and the homes at Rosehill Close. Councillor Paul Longshaw, lead member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “The Pendleton regeneration scheme has seen over 250 new homes out of a planned 1600 built so far, including 150 affordable rented homes. We have also seen significant investment and big changes taking place to 14 blocks in the area. “It is great news that our housing partner, Salix Homes, has secured much needed investment to refurbish Fitzwarren Court and the nearby houses. This adds to their existing investment plans for the area which include Albion Tower.” “Clearance of previously owned council housing has helped bring forward these plans and the High Street estate is the final piece of the jigsaw that will allow the last phases of regeneration to be brought forward. “These phases include plans for an extra care scheme, new parks and leisure facilities, a new children’s play area, a city farm and community orchard as well as additional new jobs, apprenticeships and work placements on top of those we have already delivered. “Our partners, Pendleton Together, will start building work on 52 new, affordable, family homes in August, so, by linking that to the rehousing support provided to people living on the High Street estate, we can ensure that good housing choices are given to those residents. “We are also still encouraging other partners in the area to put their hands in their pockets to invest in their existing residential tower blocks in the area; should we be successful in gaining that for Briar Hill Court and Cherry Tree Court the picture for all existing homes will be complete.” Lee Sugden, Chief Executive of Salix Homes, said: “We are committed to keeping our customers fully informed and involved throughout this transformation process which will ultimately regenerate the area for the better. “We want to get this right for all the residents involved, giving them suitable and modern housing choices.” June McRae, a resident of Fitzwarren Court, said: “I welcome this news and it will make many residents where I live very happy. “I’m delighted to see our homes will be improved and invested in. Tenants, Salix Homes and Salford City Council have worked hard together to improve the area for the better.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Hayley Collins .