A major £21 million development delivering almost 100 new affordable homes has been completed at a vital gateway location in Oldham, marking a significant step in tackling the borough's housing crisis.
A New Sustainable Community
Construction firm Caddick Construction has finished work on the West Vale neighbourhood for housing provider First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO). The project has brought 88 new houses and apartments to a pocket of land off West Street, a key entrance to the town centre.
The development features an eye-catching design, visible from the Metrolink tram line between Freehold and Westwood. The houses use three alternating brick colours and share green areas. A seven-storey apartment block complements the houses' aesthetic.
Significantly, all 88 properties are completely gas free and boast an Energy Performance Certificate B rating. They utilise sustainable technology like air source heat pumps, which should lead to cheaper heating bills for residents during the winter.
Addressing a Critical Housing Need
The new neighbourhood offers a mix of tenures to meet local demand. It includes 26 two, three, and four-bedroom houses for shared ownership and 62 one and two-bedroom apartments for affordable rent. Some of the new homes are already occupied.
This scheme is a crucial addition to Oldham's housing stock. The borough is currently grappling with a housing waiting list of approximately 8,000 people, with some applicants facing waits of more than seven years.
Steve Agger, Executive Director of Homes at FCHO, stated: "We have been proud to partner with Caddick Construction on our development at West Vale. The high quality of the build has made for a top-class project using local suppliers and contractors in many cases."
From Dereliction to Award-Winning Design
The West Vale site has been utterly transformed. It was previously occupied by two 'crumbling' 1960s tower blocks, Crossbank House and Summervale House, which were demolished in 2021 after being declared unfit for living.
Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director of Caddick Construction North West, highlighted that the project was completed with a focus on utilising local supply chains from across Greater Manchester.
The quality and impact of the development have already been recognised, with the project winning Best Affordable Housing Development at the Housing Executive Awards in Bolton earlier this year. West Vale stands as one of several affordable housing projects approved in Oldham over the last five years.
