Council is to be a housebuilder

ABID to tackle the chronic shortage of affordable homes for rent in Stockport will see the council form its own construction company.

It is hoped that the company will be up and running by the end of the year and then look to identify where new homes can be built.

Although details of a programme of house building have yet to be decided it is thought the first ‘wave’ will consist of around 125 homes.

Currently more than 7,000 people are on the waiting list for a property with social landlord Stockport homes.

Councillor Sheila Bailey, executive member for communities, said: “The company will possibly build some shared equity properties but will mainly be affordable rent.

“There is no other way other than for the council to do it and there is a dire need for affordable rental properties in Stockport.

“There is a gap in supply because private developers generally are only interested in building houses for sale.

“No quick fix exists but we have to do something, there is a whole swathe of families who should be able to live in Stockport but can’t afford to buy somewhere.”

The company has yet to be named but is likely to be called Viaduct housing and will be set up with Stockport homes.

One problem it will face is that little spare land exists for building on in Stockport.

This means that brownfield sites will have to be reclaimed, which can be a longer process involving demolition of existing buildings and then remediation of the site to make it safe.

Once work starts the company intends to use local apprenticeships to boost both employment and the skilled labour market.

Coun Bailey added: “We will look to use as many as possible. We are short of bricklayers, plumbers and electricians - these are trades that are absolutely vital.”

As part of efforts to tackle the shortage of properties in the borough a housing commission will also be set up.

This will be used to raise housing issues with Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Upon becoming council leader in May Alex Ganotis, who is also Labour leader in Stockport, pledged to set up a council construction company.

he said: “We want to build houses at lower cost and get the property market moving faster.”