Cash-hit Gleeson still backs HMR

GLEESON pulled out of the St Mary’s housing scheme to save money — but is still firmly behind the Housing Market Renewal initiative.

The Chronicle reported yesterday how the building giant had withdrawn from an agreement with Oldham Council to build 200 eco-homes and flats.

The landmark scheme, on a prominent site bounded by St Mary’s Way and Horsedge Street, was due to be financed by Gleeson Regeneration, English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.

But today the company said it had to ‘regrettably’ withdraw from the St Mary’s scheme in Oldham, to conserve capital for the immediate future.

Lee Sale, Gleeson’s northern managing director, said: “It’s not a decision we have taken lightly.

“We are very concerned that we are no longer in a position to provide Oldham with the service it expects of us and consequently, have had to take the decision to withdraw.”

Gleeson is also the council’s partner in the Housing Market Renewal scheme and has spent 18 months developing proposals to transform the Albert Mill site in Derker with high quality starter and family homes. The gateway scheme should be a catalyst for the regeneration of the neighbourhood. A planning application will be made in January, 2009.

Mr Sale added: “The council has been very understanding and knows we are committed to the HMR initiative.”