A regeneration programme in North Manchester by Redrow and Manchester City Council has celebrated a key milestone - the 100th legal completion. The housebuilder has developed 450 homes in Moston and Harpurhey and is currently selling properties from three phases in Hanson Gardens, Kenyon Gardens and Woodville Gardens.
A key aim of the project is to help people move out of rented accommodation in the area and into a home of their own. Gwen Rolfe and partner Simon Tansey are among those who have benefitted and were the 100th customers to legally complete the purchase of a home as part of the regeneration scheme. The couple, who both have families from previous relationships, had been living in rented accommodation until they were in a position to be able to buy.
Gwen says: "We spent a year looking at different properties and had created a wish list. Until we visited Woodville Gardens we thought we'd have to choose between having one less bedroom in a better area or move somewhere not so desirable. We knew straight away that the four-bedroom Thirlmere was the house for us as it's big with spacious rooms and the location is ideal.
"We're both in our 40s and didn't want to spend the next 30 years working off a mortgage. Buying with easi:buy enabled us to take out an equity loan for up to 25% of the price. It meant we could maximise our income without having to compromise or lower our expectations."
The location was key as they needed somewhere that was close to both families and that was commutable for Simon who works in Manchester city centre and Gwen who works in Salford.
Claire Jarvis, sales director for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), says: "We're delighted to be playing our part in the regeneration of North Manchester and to have helped so many people purchase a home here including Gwen and Simon. There are still plenty of opportunities for people to purchase a home of their own and at an affordable price. Selected properties are available via our easi:buy scheme which enables them to put off paying up to a quarter of the price with the help of an equity loan alternatively buyers could benefit from the new Help to Buy scheme which offers customers an equity loan for 20% of the price."
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Despite an economic tide that is not favouring the housing market, the Moston and Harpurhey developments are providing true, high quality, high specification housing options for North Manchester and giving normal people the opportunity to fulfil the dream of buying their own home.
"Regeneration should help people fulfil their aspirations, and this development has provided an affordable route on the housing market that hasn't been open to most for some time."
Current prices start from £120,995 on the open market or an initial outlay of £90,747 with easi:buy or £96,795 with Help to Buy.