Doors set to open on Gateway project

Councillor Dave Hibbert at the Primrose Bank development

OLDHAM Council is preparing to unveil the first new homes in West Oldham that have been built as part of the £113 million “Gateways to Oldham” PFI contract.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, the cabinet member for housing, transport and planning toured the site as the finishing touches were being put to the properties in Primrose Bank and Dew Way.

The project will see around 700 homes being built or refurbished over three years at those two developments and at Crossley in central Chadderton and Keswick Avenue in Fitton Hill.

The council and the Inspiral Oldham Consortium, which consists of Regenter, Great Places Housing Group and Wates Living Space, officially entered into the 25-year PFI contract last year.

The properties will be managed by the Great Places Housing Group and maintained by Wates Living Space on behalf of the council.

The majority of properties will be made available for rent by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO).

Homes for sale will also be built at Primrose Bank and Dew Way and will be sold through Plumlife, a subsidiary of Great Places.

Councillor Hibbert said: “We all understand the importance of warm, dry and safe housing to people’s quality of life, so I’m delighted these new homes are taking shape as they will provide modern new housing for Oldham residents.

“Over the last few years many building projects have gone to the wall so I am glad we and our partners have bucked the trend and provided the first new council houses to be built in decades.”
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