HCA provides funding boost to New East Manchester

New East Manchester and Manchester City Council have welcomed news that three east Manchester housing schemes have received a boost totalling nearly £8 million.

The funding will come from national housing and regeneration agency, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) under the Government-funded Kickstart scheme aimed at restarting stalled developments which have been affected by the recession.

Housing Minister John Healey has announced the funding for:

• Advent Phase 5, Ancoats (Artisan Ship Canal Developments Ltd) - Awarded £4.93 million. 29 houses and 79 flats on Great Ancoats Street, between New Islington and the Lower Medlock Valley, close to St Ann's with St Cuthbert's RC primary school and the proposed new primary school in New Islington. This development will create homes that meet local needs, demands and aspirations, and are sensitive to local environments.

• Spinning Vale, Gorton (Countryside Properties) - Awarded £1.2 million. 62 two and three bedroom homes off Western Street in Gorton. Work on the development is due to start spring 2010 and is designed to provide the area with new homes and community amenities. Just three miles east of central Manchester and with easy access to transport links, the location of the site is perfect for first time buyers or growing families who don't want to be too far from the city but want a modern, affordable home.

• Ice Plant, Ancoats (Northern Group) - Awarded £1.76 million. 82 homes in Blossom Street, Ancoats Urban Village, to help improve the tenure mix close to the city centre. The development will also include approximately 15,000 square feet of retail/commercial space that will provide long-term employment and much-needed commercial activity in the area.

Deborah McLaughlin, North West Regional Director of the HCA, said: "I'm delighted that we are able to announce the award of this additional funding to bring developments in East Manchester back on track. We have worked very closely with our partners to make sure that the schemes we are announcing today deliver high quality, new homes quickly and in a way that makes a real difference to local communities".

Councillor Paul Andrews, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services at Manchester City Council, said: "These schemes are all important for the city's regeneration priorities and I'm extremely pleased that these awards will now allow them to be delivered. A lot of hard work has gone into these applications and I'd like to congratulate everyone involved."

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive for New East Manchester said: "This is great news, not only for the developers, but for east Manchester and will help keep our regeneration plans on track. One of our key priorities is to build new homes in the area, attracting new people to move here, so this funding is very welcome and will help us achieve our goal."