|
If you want to see how some of the many millions of pounds the government has given to the house building industry is being spent, drive north west out of Manchester to New Broughton.
Last October, £8m was given to 'kick-start' this ambitious scheme and, after 12 months of inactivity, the developers, Countryside Properties, are back with enthusiasm.
Work is underway right across this site from Great Clowes Street, where 12 homes for rent are due to be finished and occupied in a couple of weeks, along the re-opened Broughton Lane, where new show homes will open in May, right across to the site of the long awaited new primary school which is now scheduled to open in September 2011. This latest burst of activity will bring 135 new homes, mainly family-sized houses rather than apartments and crucially link this regeneration area closer to Salford University, and change its geography.
There is a view that this scale of rebuilding - there will eventually be 1,300 new homes here as well as the school, new shops, new playing fields and 12 acres of parkland - is what public money should be backing.
Ian Kelley, MD of Countryside Northern, agrees and said: "Something on the scale of New Broughton brings massive transformation that can change an area permanently. Doing 100 houses somewhere in isolation is not going to make a difference. But here we can. It has been a difficult time and without the recession we would probably be about 350 units further on and would probably have been looking down the road at Mocha Parade by now.
"So the public investment was crucial here to get it re-started. We are seeing an increase in confidence and it is wonderful to see the site active and the next phases taking shape quickly:'
|
|
So far, just over 500 new homes are built and occupied, a mix of outright sale and housing association properties mixed famously across the site.
The street scene mix of brick and render is maturing well and the site design, with housing surrounding gated inner courtyards, seems to work well. A chemist and busy convenience store opened in new shop units under The Vibe last year and talks are underway for a restaurant.
But what's it like to live here? Sean Vickers and his partner, Lynsey, were among the first to move in three years ago, buying a three storey, three bedroom house.
They were new to the area and while they love the house say there were some initial problems. Sean, who joined the residents' association, said: "Some people had to be evicted because of anti-social behaviour and that was unpleasant. But it showed that the majority here will not put up with it and it was dealt with. It is good being able to nip out for milk and a paper and to have the chemist nearby.
"It is good to see building started again and great news about the school, that will add to the sense of community."
New Broughton was never going to be a quick fix. Building so many new homes, knocking down so many old ones, rehousing the residents who wanted to stay and encouraging in new people is hard enough without being hit by a recession just as it was starting to roll.
That the cranes and the brickies are back on site is good news, not least for the people who have already invested their money and their energies here.
Kelley said: "We have 20 years to go here, but right now we are at a pivotal point and seeing all the activity and the enthusiasm I am confident of the future."
|