Derelict Kirkham site transformed into affordable housing

Published by Tim Frier for Progress Housing Group in Housing and also in Communities

Residents are set to move into their brand new homes after unused industrial land in Kirkham town centre was transformed into much-needed affordable housing.

The site of a former builder’s merchant off Orders Lane in Kirkham has undergone a major redevelopment by St Annes-based New Fylde Housing, creating 26 new affordable homes. The scheme, which includes 20 two-bedroom apartments for rent and six three-bed houses for shared ownership, was officially opened at an unveiling event on Wednesday 24 October by New Fylde Housing’s Chair, David Morris, and the Mayor of Kirkham, Councillor Peter Hardy.

Those who attended the opening were given tours of the new £3 million development, which received a grant of £1.3 million from the Homes and Communities Agency as part of the national Affordable Homes Programme.

The new homes meet high environmental and sustainability standards, which will reduce the homes’ impact on the environment and reduce the running costs for residents, through features such as highly energy efficient boilers and water saving measures. The development has also been designed to achieve the Police security accreditation ‘Secured by Design’.

The new properties are only available to applicants with a local connection to the Fylde Borough, with priority given to people with a local connection to Kirkham and Wesham. Interest in the homes has been very high, with all of the apartments expected to be let within one week of their completion. The six houses for shared ownership, on Swarbrick Street, give local people who may not otherwise have been able to afford home ownership to buy a share in their own home. The three-bedroom semi-detached homes are on the market for £165,000 with buyers able to buy a 50% share of the home (£82,500) and pay rent on the remaining share. The homes are being sold by Richard Wilson Estate Agents in Kirkham.

David Morris, Chair of New Fylde Housing, said: "It's important that we have sufficient affordable housing for people who want to remain in or return to their home town so this development has been prioritised for people with a connection to Kirkham.

"We are really pleased that the development is complete and that the residents will be able to settle into their new homes in time for Christmas. New Fylde Housing’s strong partnership working with Fylde Borough Council, Kirkham Town Council and the Homes and Communities Agency has once again enabled us to build a very high standard of affordable housing in Kirkham.”

Mayor of Kirkham Councillor Peter Hardy, said: “The scheme looks excellent and has greatly improved an area that has been derelict for too long. Developing the former builder’s merchant site is an important part of our efforts to regenerate and boost the economic fortunes of Kirkham town centre. We’ve created some much-needed affordable homes for Kirkham, and we hope that the resident enjoy their new homes.”