First families move into new St Mary’s

MORE space: Minzur Chowdhury and Wajida Begum with their children Moonei, Emad and Zaidan outside their new house in Mackintosh Way

Six families have become the first new residents at the £15m housing development at St Mary’s.

They’ve moved into the properties on Mackintosh Way to become the first residents on the site for 15 years.

For one couple their new address is a coming home: Bev Hannan and her partner Terence Jaffray lived in the former flats on the site, demolished in 1997.

Bev said: “When we left the old flats we moved into local authority housing close by and we have lived there since. We really didn’t want to move out of the area and were delighted when our bid for a new home here was successful.”

Contour Homes is developing 52 social rented homes and 41 shared ownership properties on the land, in partnership with Oldham Council.

The Chowdhury family are also very happy with their new three-bedroom house.

Minzur, Wajida Begum and their young family Emad (4), Moonei (1) and Zaidan (2) say the house means they have more space.

Minzur said: “We have a lot more room for the children, and we know we will be very happy here.”