Celebration as Pimhole renewal is completed

Ten years of work to transform the Pimhole area of Bury was marked with a celebratory event for local residents.

Organised by the council, this was to say ‘thank you’ for all the help given by the residents over the last decade. Refreshments were kindly provided by Prospect GB who built the new homes in the area. 

Bury Council declared the Pimhole Renewal Area back in 2003 and worked with partners to selectively improve the housing and local environment.

In line with residents’ priorities, 374 properties in selected blocks were renovated and 130 sub-standard houses were replaced with 104 new, modern, energy efficient homes, alongside measures to improve the back streets and slow down traffic.

A key to Pimhole’s success has been the support of residents via the Pimhole Renewal Action Group (PRAG), who continue to be active in the community as part of the Pimhole Residents Association. This event highlighted the good work undertaken by the residents and provided an opportunity for them to discuss the overall results of the project. 

An independent report, which included responses from Pimhole residents and others, found that 72% of residents agreed that Pimhole looks better, and that the new housing development has been a huge success with more than 78% of the new homes already sold or reserved.

The cost of the scheme to the council has been around £15 million with an additional £10.2 million invested into the area by Prospect GB and funding of just under £1 million from the Homes and Communities Agency to support the redevelopment scheme.

The improvements are now complete, but continued support for any future small-scale community projects will be available to residents via the Bury East Township Forum.

Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of the council and East Ward councillor, said: “This has been a major project and an ambitious one to improve the area for local people and those thinking of moving there. I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to residents for their forbearance, support and community spirit and to our partners in transforming this part of East Bury.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 18 September 2013.

Picture attached: At the Pimhole celebratory event are (from left) Jimmy Hill, chair of Pimhole Residents Association; East ward councillors Mike Connolly, Stella Smith and Trevor Holt; and Sharon Hanbury, head of urban renewal.