YHG completes £24.6m Century Mill in Farnworth
Westchurch Homes has completed the 106-house project for the affordable housing provider, three years after the project broke ground.
Situated on the 5.4-acre site of a 120-year-old cotton spinning mill, Your Housing Group’s Century Mill comprises 12 one-bed maisonettes, 26 two-bed houses, 32 three-bed residences, and 36 four-bed ones. Of the 106 homes, 50 are for affordable rent and 56 for shared ownership.
Lorraine Donnelly, executive director of development and assets at YHG, described Century Mill as “a great example of the difference that new, affordable homes can make to a community”.
“For the people who will live here, these aren’t just properties, they’re places to feel secure and build their futures,” she said. “Projects like this show why building more affordable homes matters, and we remain committed to continuing this work across the region.”
Oliver Chan, partnerships director at Westchurch Homes, added: “Prior to construction the largely disused mill had become a real eyesore and now at scheme completion it’s clear for all to see the benefits of brownfield regeneration as families enjoy their new home and community.”
The £24.6m project sits off George Street in Farnworth. Its delivery was supported by Homes England Strategic Partnership funding and the Greater Manchester Brownfield Grant Fund.
Homes England’s head of affordable housing delivery Kate Collins said: “Century Mill is a strong example of how effective partnerships can unlock high-quality new homes and support the regeneration of local communities.
“This development has transformed a previously underused site into much-needed homes that will make a real difference to people in Farnworth,” she continued.
“Homes England is pleased to support Your Housing Group and projects like Century Mill that help deliver sustainable, well-designed homes and contribute to long-term place-making.”
The project team included planner Lichfields, Tetra Tech, Betts Hydro, MCK Associates, and Focus. You can see the original plans for Century Mill by searching 12836/21 on Bolton Council’s planning portal.
YHG manages more than 29,000 properties in the North. Current projects include 54 homes near Aintree Racecourse, 158 homes at Halsnead Garden Village, and 38 flats in Wigan.
A great looking development and the regeneration of a brownfield site, which now provided a fantastic addition to the much needed sector of affordable rental and shared ownership market, others across the NW take note and follow
By Russell P
I only wish architects would change the design of the houses. These type of designs have not changed for at least 60 years. Let’s have more imagination from the architects.
By Andy
Andy at 11.17, although I wouldn’t disagree with you about designs being more pleasing on the eye, it all comes down to cost to construct, having spent almost 40 years in the construction industry, my experience is that if you encourage architects to run free with the design, schemes become unaffordable and the dreaded value engineering kicks in with cheap and cheerful prouducts and systems getting used, built and installed.. Sadly architects have to design to pre tender costs which on many occasions are to low.
By Russell P