Housing is at the top of to-do list
TOWN hall bosses are pulling out all the stops to meet the ever-growing need for housing.
All councils in Greater Manchester are waiting on the next draft of the region’s ‘spatial framework’ which will pinpoint the areas in particular need.
Revised population projection figures are expected to have an impact on allocations in each district, meaning all eyes will be on the combined authority in the coming months.
In the meantime, councils have been doing all they can to meed the demand from people who need a home.
SALFORD
Salford council has backed plans for a development to plug a shortage of homes for NHS staff.
Housing association Salix Homes will spend £2m converting Alexander Gardens, a former sheltered housing complex which has stood empty since the 2015 Boxing Day floods.
The council bid for a £780k grant from the Homes England shared ownership and affordable homes programme to partially fund the scheme.
The 26-home development will house doctors, nurses and other clinical staff.
Salford city mayor Paul Dennett said: “Anything that can support the fabulous staff who work tirelessly for the NHS and bring more of their workers to our city is welcomed.”
TRAFFORD
A pot of cash earmarked for affordable homes has been revealed in a council report in Trafford.
Since 2012, developers have handed over more than £25m of money for upgrading the area, of which £19m has been spent to date.
And there are a number of outstanding financial agreements, worth £17.6m, set to be triggered. According to a council report, £4.8m of that amount has already been earmarked to deliver planned Metrolink expansion.
The rest is intended to make improvements to education facilities, highways, parks and green spaces.
OLDHAM
A crackdown on sub-standard rented homes has been introduced, with landlords offered incentives to meet minimum housing standards.
The council has agreed to pilot a private sector policy which would see minimum property standards introduced, with landlords paid a cash incentive when they sign a contract with the town hall.
And, a bond scheme will also be brought in to make sure landlords keep their property in good condition.
Demand for social housing in Oldham is three times higher than in neighbouring Bury, Rochdale and Tameside.
WIGAN
Council bosses are mulling over a bid for a 72-house affordable rental property development near the town centre.
The application has been submitted by housing association Adactus for vacant land off Field Street and Frog Lane that used to be a cattle market.
The properties will be one-bed apartments and two or three-bed houses.
The vacant site ‘detracts from the appearance’ of the area and ‘reinforces negative perceptions,’ according to application documents from development consultants PWA Planning.