Irwell Valley Homes to extend Queensberry Place
Bury Council’s cabinet has signed off the disposal of the former CPU kitchens site on Willow Street, to be used by the housing provider to add further supported living units to its adjacent operation.
The 0.28-acre site has been derelict for some years, and the disposal forms part of Bury’s policy of selling off brownfield sites within its ownership for development. More than 50 sites are currently part of an accelerated land disposal programme.
In addition, the borough has identified an acute lack of supported and sheltered living – the Greater Manchester Health & Social Care Partnership estimates Bury needs to deliver 138 self-contained supported living units by 2031.
As a report prepared for cabinet by David Lynch, assistant director in regeneration noted, the site presents an “oven-ready” opportunity to deliver 13 one-bedroom apartments. Full financial details have not been revealed.
IVH intends the development to provide living space for young adults with a physical and/or sensory disability or learning disability, some of whom are currently having to be placed outside of the borough at significant cost to the council, due to a lack of local options – the report suggests a saving of £65,000 per year will be made to the council once the site is operational.
The developer expects to submit a planning application early this year, with completion of the project in autumn 2023.
Architect JDA is working on the project, mapping out a two-storey scheme including 17 parking spaces.
The units will be multifunctional and fitted with assistive technology and will be owned and managed by IVH in partnership with care provider Persona. Bury has negotiated nomination rights to all 13 properties in perpetuity.