Onward to build 30 affordable homes in Bury

The council has agreed to transfer 2.5 acres to the housing association, which aims to start work on site in early 2022.

The site in question is the home of the former Wheatfields Day Care Centre in Whitefield, which was demolished in 2018. The brownfield site is part of Bury Council’s Land Disposal Programme and had become a liability to the council, with officers noting it was vulnerable to fly-tipping, crime and antisocial behaviour.

Onward Homes plans to build 30 affordable homes of mixed tenures. The homes will have between two and three bedrooms. Of the 30 homes, 14 will be three-bed houses for shared ownership. Another four will be three-bed houses for affordable rent, while six will be two-bed walk-up flats for affordable rent. There will also be six two-bed bungalows, also for affordable rent. The development will include provisions for older people and those with a disability.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has awarded Bury Council £350,000 of brownfield funding to accelerate the delivery of the site. This money does have to be repaid. However, the council estimated that when complete, the development will generate £46,056 per year in new homes bonus payments and £50,700 a year in additional council tax revenue.

“The transfer of land at Wheatfields to Onward Homes will help to unlock much-needed affordable homes,” said Onward Homes development director Stephen Heverin.

“Our plans will regenerate this vacant brownfield site and provide genuinely affordable homes for people of all ages,” he continued. “Furthermore, the development of the site will help to tackle some of the persistent issues in this location and create economic benefits for years to come. We look forward to working with local people and elected representatives to deliver a development that Bury can be proud of.”