Minister sees housing market renewal progress

UK (SANEPR.com) May 2, 2008 -- New high quality homes, both completed and under construction were shown off to a Government minister yesterday (12 December) as he visited the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder.
During his visit, Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Iain Wright MP met residents at Norfolk Street in Werneth, and viewed progress on the building of 25 eco-friendly family homes at Nelson Place, Wardleworth in Rochdale.
The minister also toured a number of key sites across both boroughs where the Pathfinder and its development partners will build new housing to increase the choice of homes and range of tenures on offer to local people.
Great Places Housing Group has built Mr Adam Karim’s house on Norfolk Street, part of a development of ten family homes in Werneth. The development includes homes for rent, for sale outright and for shared ownership (part buy, part rent).

Mr Adam Karim and his two grown-up children, Asiff Ali, 22, and Sara Roxanne, 19, moved into the house from a smaller terraced property in nearby Suffolk Street, which was earmarked for demolition.
The family are very pleased with their new home, and were happy to show it off. The house they have moved to has three bedrooms and stands on the end of the row. All the family like the greater space and storage room they now have.
Sara Roxanne is impressed by the energy efficiency of the news homes, “They are well insulated and get nice and warm. All the fixtures and fittings are at a high spec, with sockets in the right place.”
The family have strong family links in the area, and they did not want to move away. They were very pleased with how staff from the neighbourhood office helped with the process of moving. “Once we had agreed to move, the HMR team took care of it.

In Rochdale, Iain Wright MP saw how 25 new homes are progressing at the Nelson Place development. The three and four bedroom homes will help to make the area an increasingly attractive place to live.
BASE, a pioneering joint venture between Artisan Property Group and national housebuilder Barratt, are developing the site in partnership with the HMR Pathfinder, Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency.
The design is aiming to achieve the Eco-homes ‘very good’ standard. The houses will be environmentally sustainable, using materials from ‘green’ sources and cutting residents’ fuel bills. The plans scooped a National Housing Design Award earlier this year, as did plans for the Dale Mill site in Hamer.
Local people played an important role in the design of the new homes, letting the HMR team know their views at consultation events at the nearby Wardleworth Community Centre.

The minister visited the community centre where he met residents who regularly provide the HMR Pathfinder with their views on regeneration through the Residents Sounding Panel. He will also be introduced to Rochdale residents who have already put deposits down on Nelson Place homes, as well as building trainees who are developing their construction skills through the HMR-supported local labour in construction initiative, J21.
Shahidul Ahsan described Iain Wright MP how the building of his new home is progressing. Mr Ahsan said, “There is a real need for modern family homes like this in Wardleworth. This area has been my home for many years and I’m glad I’ve been able to buy the type of house I want right here.”

Junior Housing Minister Iain Wright said, “It was encouraging to see the ambitious work that is being undertaken in the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder area.

“I was able to speak to many people who believe passionately in the work that is being carried out to meet the needs of local people and to maintain and develop a strong sense of community under the Pathfinder banner.”
Pathfinder Director Alastair Graham said, “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to show the minister some of the achievements and progress that is being made, which is helping to transform neighbourhoods across both Oldham and Rochdale.”