Caddick to complete stalled £21m resi
The contractor has been appointed to deliver 88 homes in Oldham, more than a year after planning permission was granted.
First Choice Homes’ £21m project will deliver 26 one- to four-bed houses and 62 one- and two-bedroom apartments, off Manchester Road in Colhurst.
Caddick Construction replaces Crossfield Construction as main contractor on the West Vale housing scheme. Crossfield went into administration in April 2022, delaying development by more than a year.
Crossfield was due to start work on the project in spring 2022, with homes supposed to complete this spring. Now, First Choice Homes is aiming to complete the project in winter 2024.
Joel Owen, First Choice Homes’ director of development said: “We are very excited to be working with Caddick Construction to bring forward this exemplar scheme in such an important location in Oldham.
“We’ve been on a journey with local people, businesses, and organisations to get to this point and have worked hard to design a development that meets local need… and [leaves] a positive legacy in the local community.”
Caddick has already begun enabling works on the site. The two tower blocks that had been on the site, Crossbank House and Summervale House, were demolished last year.
When the project completes, 26 homes will be available for shared ownership and 62 will be available for affordable rent.
The scheme forms part of First Choice Homes’ £160m masterplan, which aims to deliver 1,100 affordable homes in Oldham and surrounding areas by 2026.
Ian Threadgold, managing director of Caddick Construction in the North West, added: “I take great pride in the news that Caddick Construction has been appointed to deliver on the new build phase of this fantastic development.
“We look forward to building these much-needed new homes in Greater Manchester on behalf of First Choice Homes Oldham.”
Oldham cllr Abdul Jabbar added: “These new houses will provide much-needed homes for many families who are on the council waiting list.
“This will transform the site where the tower blocks once stood at the top of Manchester Road – and does so in a way that is considerate to the environment around us and leaves a positive legacy for future generations.”
Caddick has also taken over as contractor for Wigan Council’s stalled social housing project, due to complete in spring 2024.
This is the usual story for Oldham unfortunately, little happens and when it does it is years behind the times. In the ten years to 2019/2020 over 6000 units were granted planning permission but only 40% were delivered!! Whilst it may be an important place for social housing, the council needs to give much more attention to the provision of larger and family friendly houses in both nice and the right location for motorway and railway access and quick access by road and rail into Manchester if it is to retain the wealth creators it has let alone attract newcomers.
Rochdale is doing just that.
By K. W.