Wates to start East Manchester housing overhaul

Wates Living Space is set to begin a comprehensive refurbishment programme in Clayton for Manchester City Council which includes repair works to more than 200 homes.

The contractor is due to carry out full refurbishment of 62 vacant properties on Ben Street in Clayton, near the Etihad Stadium and the National Cycling Centre, which have been purchased by the city council from housing association Guinness Northern Counties.

Works to the empty homes will include re-roofing, energy efficiency upgrades, new kitchens, and heating. All existing windows are doors will be replaced and brickwork will also be repointed.

As well as the vacant home, Wates will carry out repair works to 151 other properties in the area alongside improvements to public realm and the streetscape.

Work is due to begin in spring this year, and once complete, the houses will be run by One Manchester and offered under affordable tenures.

One Manchester also plans to purchase and refurbish five more empty properties on Ben Street.

Manchester City Council is also planning a second phase of the scheme on a vacant site it owns between Alpine Street and Ilk Street. This includes 55 new-build family homes and is expected to start on site in 2020.

Cllr Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Renewing the city’s housing is a key element of our housing strategy, enabling us to use our resources most effectively to keep up with demand for high quality homes.

“We have been very successful in bringing Council-owned empties back in to use, but this scheme sees us acquiring long-term empties to make sure the city’s current housing stock is being utilised.

“The Ben Street area is already brilliantly serviced with great transport links, leisure facilities, school and shops, so we have an opportunity here to deliver a really successful neighbourhood.”