New lease of life for mill sites

Fernhurst Mill Chadderton - making way for new rental homes

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TWO former mill sites have been given a fresh lease of life as part of a pioneering build-to-rent project.

The land on which the former Royd Mill once stood in Millbank Close, and the Constellation Mill site in Fernhurst Street, Chadderton, will soon welcome their first residents.

The new homes will be part of the “DifRent” scheme, which transforms brownfield sites across the North-West into homes. Around 1,000 have been built across the UK so far.

Lettings director Paul Staley said: “More and more people are opting to rent a home for the long term but there is a distinct lack of choice.

“DifRent will create new communities with high-quality homes with 24/7 emergency maintenance support.

“Tenant selection and management have been designed to foster mutual respect among neighbours and to make our homes the most desirable rental properties on the market.”

Royd Mill was a cotton spinning mill from 1907 until 1981, after which the mill was demolished. The site will hold 52 two and three-bedroom homes, with the first residents expected next month.

Constellation Mill, previously known as Fernhurst Mill, was most recently occupied by luggage manufacturer Constellation and was demolished in 2012. The land will have 59 two and three-bedroom homes from September

Visitors can look round the two-bedroom Walbrook show house at Royd Mill on Saturday morning (10am-11am).