£42 million investment for Wythenshawe » Housing » 24dash.com

Brilliant news for Wythenshawe! Willow Park Housing Trust has been granted funding to help build over 300 new homes for rent and shared ownership across the area. This is great news for people struggling to find affordable housing and is yet another boost to improving Wythenshawe.

Councillor Eddy Newman, Chair of Willow Park, said; “We are delighted with this level of support and endorsement, especially as it means we will now be able to go ahead with plans for a £20 million Retirement Village that will improve and transform the area.”

Working as part a consortium of North West transfer housing associations (JV North), Willow Park will provide a total of £42m of new investment in the area, with £13m grant funding from the Housing Corporation.

Meanwhile, tenants have now moved into 45 brand new Willow Park homes. Built by Willow Park’s contractors, Bramall Construction, these homes provide a mixture of homes for older people, special needs/wheelchair-users, family housing and flats.

Jean Lindsey moved into her bungalow in February and is delighted with her new home; “This bungalow seems to have been tailor-made for me! Although I need a wheelchair, I am a very independent and active person. I have a car which is essential to me, so to have a drive to park it on is brilliant and makes the wheelchair access even better. I am delighted with the move and feel very happy here.”

Local school children from Crossacres Primary School came along to say hello to their new neighbours. Pupils had already taken part in a competition held by Bramall Construction to provide artwork for the construction site and have been watching the development with keen interest.

Paul Goggins, government minister and MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East, said, "The Government recognises the urgent need to build more affordable homes for rent and I am delighted that Willow Park is being given the money to make this happen in Wythenshawe. Every day people come to my office with housing problems and this investment provides them with new and real hope."