Moving in the right direction

HOME sweet home . . . Christopher and Karen Taylor with their daughter Monique and Chris’s mum, Lynn Briggs

HOUSING Market Renewal has received some bad press in the past, but one Oldham family singing its praises are the Taylors from Alt.

Christopher and Karen recently moved to a new home in Chadderton to be close to Christopher’s mum, Lynn Briggs.

Lynn herself had moved form Cherry Avenue in Alt last autumn after her home was demolished as part of the HMR scheme taking place in the area.

Christopher and Karen also lived in Cherry Avenue. Their house will be demolished at a later date.

Christopher said: “We’re delighted with our new home. My mum moved to a bungalow in Chadderton together with two of her neighbours from Alt, who were all able to stay close together in their new homes.

“The chance to move ourselves and be just around the corner was really important to us.”

The couple, together with their daughter Monique, have moved into a two-bedroom semi-detached house and received a disturbance allowance and a grant for decorating their new home, funded by HMR, which covered the cost of moving, together with all the legal fees which go with moving house.

Karen said: “When we first heard about the plans to redevelop Alt we were a bit concerned about getting the help we needed.

“We did want to move from where we were, but having to move because the house was to be knocked down was daunting.

“However, we were really pleased with the support we had from staff at First Choice Homes.

“Everything was explained to us clearly and we were given all the support and assistance we needed.”

The demolition work at Cherry Avenue is still taking place and the site will be landscaped ahead of future development once the demolition has finished.