Key workers could get a free £15,000 towards a home - but some cost £450,000
Reporter: Charlotte Hall, Local Democracy Reporter
Date published: 08 July 2025
An image of the new homes in Diggle - courtesy of Redrow Homes Ltd
A new scheme is aimed at helping key workers and armed forces personnel get on the housing ladder in Oldham.
Developer Redrow is offering families up to £15,000 in deposit contributions towards new homes – but some of the luxury homes come with hefty price tags.
Anyone working for the army, NHS, police, education, as a foster carer or other public sector jobs is eligible for the contribution, according to Redrow.
The house builder pledges to give £1,000 towards a deposit for every £20,000 spent by ambitious home owners.
The scheme applies to new developments Bishops Meadow in Royton and Broadstone Manor in Diggle, which are both partially complete.
Steve Jackson, regional sales director, said: “The exclusive deposit contributions will help make homeownership more affordable and achievable for key workers and armed forces personnel so they can either start their journey of owning a home or upgrade to a newly built that better fits their lives.
“All of these developments offer convenient access to a range of medical facilities, making them excellent choices for NHS workers looking to benefit from the key worker scheme,” added Steve.
“Our scheme is also open to those in education, the fire, probation and prison services, foster carers and many others, so we’d urge anyone in a key worker or local government role to check their eligibility.”
Bishops Meadows, off Cowlishaw Cocker Mill Lane, currently consists of a small number of three, four and five bedroom properties.
The neighbourhood will eventually be home to 200 new homes, five acres of green space and an orchard.
But the luxury homes come at a hefty price tag, currently going at £450,000 to £480,000.
The average house price across Royton is £234,600, according to Zoopla.
Meanwhile, Broadstone Manor off Huddersfield Road in Diggle will feature 70 new homes once completed, with a number of show homes already open.
The homes in the ‘picturesque’ Saddleworth village start at £308,000.
The average house price in Diggle is listed as just over £402,000, according to Zoopla.
The full list of key workers includes those working for the NHS; in Education; with the Police Force; Fire Service; Ministry of Defence; Environmental Service; National Highways; Probation Service; Local Authority; Prison Service; Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI); or as a foster carer.
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