Mayfield project gets cash boost
MANCHESTER’S new Mayfield district is to get a £23m boost from a new government fund aimed at helping the economy bounce back from coronavirus.
The huge project, which will transform the area between Piccadilly station and the Mancunian Way, is one of 300 schemes set to share the £900m Getting Building Fund.
Cash will be used for the first phase of the £1.4bn Mayfield development, which will potentially see a new 6.5 acre park, the first in the city for 100 years, 1,500 homes, 155,000 sq m of office space, a 650-bedroom hotel, retail and leisure space, creating 3,200 jobs.
Overall the government hopes the fund will help build up to 45,000 homes, create up to 85,000 jobs and reduce around 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions across the country.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said it will ‘give a much needed boost’ to the country’s economic recovery after the pandemic and also ‘help build the good quality, affordable homes the country needs.’
The government has also confirmed a £360m investment in Mayoral Combined Authority areas through its £400 million Brownfield Fund, which it says will help build a further 26,000 homes.
Mr Jenrick said: “As we get Britain building we are also laying the foundations for a green economic recovery by investing in vital infrastructure for local communities, creating jobs and building environmentally-friendly homes with a huge £1.3 billion investment announced today.”
Details of the new £2bn Green Homes Grant scheme, which will see the government fund up to two-thirds of the cost of home improvements of more than 600,000 homes, have also been announced.
To take part in the scheme, tradespeople must register for TrustMark accreditation which will cover green home improvements ranging from wall insulation, floors and roofs to the installation of low-carbon heating.
Households on low income can receive vouchers covering 100% of the cost of the improvements, up to a maximum of £10,000.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Green home improvements will save people money on their energy bills, help to cut carbon emissions, and create new work for many thousands of builders, plumbers and other tradespeople.
“Our TrustMark scheme will guarantee that building work is completed to a high standard by accredited tradespeople, ensuring consumers are fully protected.”