Wates fills hole left by Rok in Oldham PFI

Affordable housing contractor Wates Living Space has joined the Inspiral consortium, which comprises Regenter and Great Places, replacing previous contractor Rok after it went into administration.

The consortium was selected as preferred bidder by Oldham Council to deliver the £130m Gateways to Oldham housing private finance initiative. The public private partnership will transform five 'gateway' neighbourhoods of Crossley, Primrose Bank, Coldhurst, Westwood and Fitton Hill into diverse and attractive residential areas. Oldham Council anticipates signing a contract with Inspiral in the first quarter of 2011.

Wates Living Space will be responsible for the building and refurbishment work and will also run the repairs contract. Great Places will be responsible for neighbourhood management.

The Inspiral consortium also hopes to be selected to deliver the Creating A New Pendleton housing private finance initiative for Salford City Council, for which Wates Living Space will also work with Regenter and Great Places.

Stephen Porter, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to have Wates Living Space on board. We believe they will be a great partner for our current projects and will help to give us every chance of success in our bid for the Creating A New Pendleton housing project."

Ian Burnett, managing director for Wates Living Space said: "We hope our experience of delivering such projects will lead to our successful appointment to the Creating A New Pendleton housing private finance initiative for Salford City Council."