Government Minister visits Wardleworth eco-friendly homes

Date published: 12/12/2007

New high quality homes, both completed and under construction have been shown to a Government minister when he visited the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Pathfinder today (Wednesday 12 December).

During his visit, Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government, Iain Wright MP viewed progress on the building of 25 eco-friendly family homes at Nelson Place, Wardleworth in Rochdale.

Mr Wright 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.

Mr 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."

Shahidul Ahsan showed Mr Wright 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."

HMR Pathfinder Director Alastair Graham said: "It was great to have the opportunity to show the minister some of the progress that has been made to make neighbourhoods more attractive places to live.  It’s still early days, but projects like show what can be achieved with significant levels of public and private investment."

The minister also toured a number of other key sites where the HMR Pathfinder and its development partners will build new housing to increase the choice of homes and range of tenures on offer to local people.

BASE, a joint venture between Artisan Property Group and national housebuilder Barratt, is 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 won a National Housing Design Award earlier this year, as did housing 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 local residents who regularly provide the Pathfinder with their views on regeneration through the Residents Sounding Panel.  He was also introduced to Rochdale residents who have already put deposits down on the new Nelson Place homes, as well as building trainees who are developing their construction skills through the HMR-supported local labour in construction initiative, J21.

The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder aims to tackle some of the deep-rooted problems that face communities in Oldham and Rochdale. Its purpose is to bring about lasting change in order to improve people’s quality of life, and to drive up the prosperity of the area.  The Pathfinder has recently bid for £100 million of Housing Market Renewal Funding for 2008-11 and will find out how much they will receive in the New Year.