Radcliffe Times homes scheme becomes reality with developer agreement

A prominent derelict building and adjoining vacant site in the centre of Radcliffe is planned to be brought back to life as apartments by early next year.

A conditional agreement between Bury Council and a North West developer has been entered into to deliver 10 affordable one-bed apartments at the former Radcliffe Times site.

The new homes, which were granted planning permission in August last year, will be owned by Bury Council on completion and will be made available for affordable rent. The council is being supported with a grant from Homes England.

The scheme supports the council’s preference to build on ‘brownfield’ land first. It is also another important step in the regeneration of Radcliffe.

Earlier this year the council announced a £1m scheme to support the regeneration of the town with on-street improvements, a new CCTV scheme and action on traffic and parking. Radcliffe has also been selected for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s Town Centre Challenge scheme.

Council leader Rishi Shori said: “This scheme will have the dual benefit of giving us much-needed affordable housing in the area while utilising a prominent town centre brownfield site. I’m personally really happy to see this first step in bringing the Radcliffe Times building back into use, and can’t wait for the build to get going.”

Chair of the Radcliffe Regeneration Task Group and Radcliffe North councillor Jamie Walker said: “Seeing this iconic building fall into near ruin over the past few years has been really hard for people locally, and it’s fair to say that it has been detrimental to the look and feel of the town.

“So I’m absolutely delighted that not only will we be bringing it back to life with its original façade intact, but for affordable housing right in the very heart of Radcliffe.

“We’re on with the Radcliffe Regeneration project, which will deliver physical improvements to the streets of the town. Getting the Radcliffe Times building back to its former glory is a really important piece of the jigsaw.”

ENDS

Issued: 22 March 2019.