Bury offers up office for BTR conversion
Humphrey House will become vacant in November, opening the door for its redevelopment as part of the council’s estate strategy.
Bury Council is seeking expressions of interest from developers for the chance to convert the 30,000 sq ft town centre office building into around 60 apartments.
The council is seeking a “build-to-rent developer with experience of delivering PRS schemes”, according to tender documents for the project.
Located off Angouleme Way, the five-storey building was last home to an NHS mental health trust, which is due to relocate to another site in November 2024.
The successful bidder will acquire the site from the council, subject to the signing of a development agreement, generating a capital receipt for the authority.
The planned conversion of the council-owned Humphrey House forms part of Bury’s housing strategy, which aims to “narrow gaps in inequality resulting from limited or poor opportunity to good quality safe and secure housing”.
The council sees Humphrey House as a “key opportunity site to realise this housing vision alongside other key development sites in the southern arc of the town centre,” according to tender documents.
The deadline for expressions is 2 September.
Has anyone told Bury Council that 60 units doesn’t work for BTR?
By John W
This will be a hard sell, just ask Grainger Plc about occupancy rates for their apartments at The Rock nearby.
By Mis-Manager
I am puzzled how it could be a commercial opportunity to pay to develop property, for which the prize to “narrow gaps in inequality” would seem to suggest reward of Bury’s antiquated LHA rates in return? What am I missing here?
By Anonymous
I do think that Bury could be more imaginative with it’s housing policies. It seems to ignore an increasing number of older people who own their own properties, which may be reasonable in size and location, who would be happy to do a deal for more appropriate accommodation. Come on Bury, offer me a park home with all support services and you can have my 3 bed detached.
By Brian