Council partnership brings affordable properties to Bury

Bury Council, St Vincent’s Housing Association and Six Town Housing are working together on an exciting project to build nine new “affordable rent” properties in Bury.

The new development is being constructed on Bolton Road, Bury on the site where Elton Square House formally stood. This was a small sheltered housing scheme built in 1971. It consisted entirely of bedsit properties with shared bathing facilities, making it unsuitable for modern housing expectations and difficult to let. 

The council is leasing the land to St Vincent's who will build and own the new properties, which will then be managed by Six Town Housing for the next five years.

The building is now at the closing stages of being demolished and work will soon start on the construction of nine much needed general needs houses for affordable rent (homes offered at up to 80% of market rent). The new homes are planned for completion in around 12 months’ time and will help address the shortage of affordable family housing in the borough.

Maria Worthington, business manager for neighbourhoods at Six Town Housing, said: “We are really proud to be able to take these properties under our management and offer high quality homes at an affordable rent to residents in Bury. There is a high demand for this kind of property and we are glad to be able to provide support for tenants and residents in the borough.”

Councillor Rishi Shori, cabinet member for adult care, health and housing, said: “In these tough economic times, we have to do all we can to address the shortage of housing that people need and can afford. This scheme will be warmly welcomed and shows the value of partnership working.”

Charlie Norman, chief executive of St Vincent’s Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to be developing much needed new affordable homes in Bury, in partnership with the council and Six Town Housing. St Vincent’s built its very first scheme in Bury 42 years ago and we are honoured to still be actively involved in meeting housing need in the borough.” 

ENDS

Press release issued: 22 May 2013.

Picture attached: Overseeing the new development are (from left)

Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director of adult care services; Councillor Gill Campbell, then cabinet member for neighbourhoods and regeneration; Charlie Norman, chief executive of St Vincent's Housing Association; Councillor Mike Connolly, leader of the council; and Maria Worthington, business manager for neighbourhoods at Six Town Housing.