Government grants £975,000 for Sale West estate regen

Trafford Council and Irwell Valley Homes received the money from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ £10m Estate Regeneration Fund.

According to housing association Irwell Valley Homes, the money will go towards delivering a natural play strategy for the estate, planting trees and hedges, improving drainage, enhancing nearby habitat and creating a community horticulture programme.

The funds will be used during the £50m regeneration scheme’s first phase, which is currently underway. The £11m first phase includes 79 affordable homes and £7.2m in improvements to existing homes on the estate, including providing new kitchens, roofs, fencing, gates and boilers.

The money will also enable Irwell Valley to do wider estate enhancements in the next phase of the project and to accelerate remediation work to make phase three possible.

Ultimately, the Sale West estate regeneration project will see up to 260 homes built across 90 acres, improvements to the existing homes and the construction of sports and community facilities, additional public realm, play areas, roads and parking. The plans for the estate were shaped by residents, according to Irwell Valley Homes.

From left: Irwell Valley Homes’ Claire Griffiths and Sasha Deepwell with Our Sale West Community Group’s Ralph Rudden. Credit: via Irwell Valley Homes

“In Sale West there is a strong sense of community and a desire among residents to improve their neighbourhood,” said Irwell Valley Homes chief executive Sasha Deepwell.

“We are delighted to have been able to access this funding from the government to realise our customers’ aspirations and drive forward the changes they want to see in their neighbourhood,” she continued.

Trafford Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, Cllr James Wright, called the funding announcement “fantastic news”.

“It is important that we create homes, not just housing and the funding means there will be a real community feel about the neighbourhood,” he said.

“The improvements that can now be carried out will make such a difference to the community – and improve the environment,” he continued. “Having children’s play spaces and seating areas will be fantastic for families and the whole community, so I am delighted we have secured funding as part of this vital regeneration project.”

Ralph Rudden, a local resident and the chair of the Our Sale West Community Group, said: “It is great news that as COP 26 draws to a close, Sale West has received this funding boost. We look forward to working with residents, Irwell Valley Homes and the Local Authority to bring about improvements and tackle the issues caused by climate change locally.

“We know that by working together we can create a healthier and greener future for the people living in Sale West.”

Aew Architects worked with Irwell Valley Homes on designing the regeneration efforts, alongside fellow consultants Nexus Planning, Exterior Architects, Curtins and CPC. Sale West sits off Ordsall Lane. It was originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s.