A major milestone for the community, these homes represent the first of 47 two, three and four-bedroom family properties that housing association FCHO will be taking handover of through to early 2024.
The development comprises 19 properties for shared ownership, 17 for rent to buy and 11 for affordable rent to meet local housing need.
Widely regarded as one of Manchester’s top commuting towns and ideal for active families with its abundance of picnic and dog-walking spots, Eden Park offers high quality, practical and inviting living spaces, to allow families to grow comfortably.
Tahreen Shad, regional partnerships director for Lovell in the North West, said: “Eden Park is the final phase of a 500-unit regeneration development in Langley, a scheme we commenced in 2005, bringing in public realm and high quality market sale and affordable tenure housing to kick start market interest into the area. Since those early days of the development, the area has been transformed and proved an incredible success for both new and local residents.
“Eden Park includes both sale and affordable homes and we are delighted to be working with FCHO to deliver new build affordable homes. Following on from Langley, we will be working in collaboration with FCHO to progress similar opportunities in Greater Manchester.”
FCHO secured the development by Lovell through a £12.2m deal, supported by £2.4m Homes England grant funding. The project boasts green credentials to help customers minimise energy consumption and keep their bills down, with all properties planning to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B, and each equipped with an electric vehicle charging point.
As well as attracting newcomers to the area, this site offers the chance for people who have lived in the area to purchase a larger, more energy efficient home, or as way for the next generation to move up the ladder in their hometown.
Residents will benefit from a great selection of facilities and leisure activities on the doorstep, including an open park with play area, sports clubs, schools, medical services and shops along a traditional high street.
Eden Park also boasts great transport links for commuters, with a 30-minute direct route to central Manchester as well as nearby motorways. The Mills Hill train station situated just 2.5 miles away also provides easy travel connections.
Joel Owen, FCHO’s director of development, said: “It’s fantastic to take handover of the first great new homes at Eden Park. Rochdale borough is one of the key areas in our development strategy and we’re pleased to be working with Lovell to bring forward a variety of property types and offer a range of tenures.
“In doing so, we can help locals secure the quality homes they need and take their first step on the property ladder at an affordable price.”
Homes for shared ownership are being marketed through FCHO’s Fabric Living brand, with first phase of properties already reserved and 15 more homes soon to be released for sale. Rent-to-buy properties are being advertised via My Move Oldham and affordable rent options will be allocated through Rochdale Borough Council’s housing register.
The investment is part of FCHO’s development strategy to deliver 1,100 new, high quality, energy efficient homes in Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Kirklees, and Calderdale 2020-2026 to improve the lives of local people.
Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “With a shortage of housing across the borough, there are many families in need of good quality affordable housing, and this is exactly what is being delivered here at this fantastic development in Langley.
“No one organisation can tackle this issue alone. That’s why we’re working with social landlords and developers, as well as applying for all available grants, to address the housing crisis, because we know it’s a top priority for residents.”
Across the Rochdale borough, FCHO currently has 180 new homes at six sites in Heywood, Middleton and Littleborough, and the provider has delivered 102 homes – a mix of family houses and apartments – in the area in the past three years.
