First tenants in this year at Salix scheme

The Salford housing association and its contractor Galliford Try Partnerships are amid a project to replace 146 houses in Swinton’s Beechfarm estate, also known as the Poets Estate, with 160 new properties.

Phase one of the project is underway, with the roof trusses now being put in place on the new Shakespeare Road houses.

So far, families living at 56 properties have been decanted while the work takes place, and those tenants affected by the demolition proposals will be given priority for moving into the new homes.

The demolition programme was necessitated by subsidence issues stemming from the area’s mining heritage – in 2015 the Poets Estate Steering Group, including oval residents, voted in favour of the plans.

Salix owns more than 8,300 homes across Salford. Terry McBride, development manager at Salix Homes, said: “This is the first new-build development for Salix Homes, helping us to achieve our aspirations for more affordable housing in Salford. It’s also given us the opportunity to provide local jobs for local people.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live in modern, comfortable homes they can afford, so we are delighted to see these new properties taking shape and we’d like to thank residents for their patience while construction is underway.”

Planning proposals have now been submitted to Salford City Council for phases three and four of the project, which includes the demolition and development of some properties on Stevenson Road, Tennyson Road, Kingsley Road, Wordsworth Road and Blantyre Street.