Mix of new homes up for council approval

FIRST Choice Homes plan to build 49 new homes on vacant land off Coleridge Road, Sholver

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PLANS for a new housing development of 49 homes by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) in Sholver have been submitted for approval.

The Housing Association has applied to build the mixture of two and three-bedroom properties at vacant and overgrown land at Coleridge Road.

The site, which is owned by FCHO, was previously occupied by flats, but has remained vacant with only the original access road remaining on site since their demolition years ago.

FCHO have applied to develop the site to include a mixture of semi-detached, terraced homes, bungalows and cottage apartments.

The plans include 12 two-bedroom homes, 29 three-bedroom homes, six cottage apartments (two-bedroom) and two two-bedroom bungalows.

Heart

A new central road linking Coleridge Road with Stevenson Drive through the heart of the site has also been proposed.

In planning documents submitted by FCHO it stated: "FCHO is committed to working alongside partner organisations and support initiatives for the improvement of homes, neighbourhoods and economic opportunities across Oldham. The development of 49 new family homes on land accessed off Coleridge Road supports this commitment. "

The properties would be available under the Rent to Buy scheme, giving working households the chance to rent at an intermediate rent to give them the opportunity to save for a deposit to buy their first home.

The application states: "The proposed development at Coleridge Road is a great opportunity to utilise the Rent to Buy product to provide affordable housing and provide a more affordable route to home ownership.

"The scheme will provide high quality housing, and also actively promote training and local labour opportunities which will be coordinated through our Directions team."

The document adds that there is a large demand for two and three-bedroom properties in the area, with 6,412 households on the housing register requiring a two or three bedroomed home.

"The site at Coleridge Road is a key site on the entrance to Sholver off Ripponden Road, and the proposed development supports the council's strategy of creating housing that meets the aspirations of residents and supports sustainable growth, through the design and mix of the scheme," it added.

"It is considered that the tenure diversification will also help to achieve economic sustainability in this area."

A public consultation was carried out in July and the final design of the proposal has reflected discussions regarding the rear boundaries of properties facing Ripponden Road.

Dave Woods, Homes and Investment Director of First Choice Homes said: "We are committed to delivering at least 800 new homes across the borough over the next five years. These new homes will support around 18,000 people on the waiting lists and help peoples take their first steps on the property ladder."

FCHO is the largest landlord in Oldham providing over 60 per cent of all socially rented homes. In February 2011, Oldham Council transferred 11,867 of its dwellings to FCHO which resulted in the organisation being responsible for both the management and ownership of the council's homes.