Quality houses, jobs and playgrounds transforming Hattersley

THE TRANSFORMATION of Hattersley is progressing well with quality houses, jobs and infrastructure created.

A progress report on this financial year details how residents have moved into new affordable homes, staff are working at a new science park, and playgrounds and other facilities have been completed.

The regeneration of Hattersley is being driven by a partnership between Tameside Council, Onward Homes and Homes England.
Tameside Council’s Cabinet was updated on the achievements so far and the next steps.

Quality housing is one of the main focuses and the flagship Hattersley Central Development saw 15 houses for shared ownership and nine houses for affordable rent completed and occupied in the last 12 months. Another 46 houses are progressing well, with handover expected over the next financial year, and 91 extra care apartments are under construction, with fit out due to start soon. The development was made possible by accessing £11.3million of funding from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme and £3.2million from GMCA’s Brownfield Homes Fund.
The Harehill Development of 27 homes for affordable rent is due to be completed this month.

Overall, Onward Homes has demolished 900 properties, refurbished 1,475 and built 155 new homes, and private sector partner Barratt Homes has completed 692 homes for private sale in Hattersley, which was one of the top selling Barratt sites in the country.

The RSK Group has completed the refurbishment of the former Centrica building, off Stockport Road, into laboratory facilities with staff moving into the science park. RSK has invested significantly into Hattersley with £4million invested in the building’s purchase and refurbishment.

Elsewhere, developer Maple Grove is working with Onward to bring forward the final phase of the District Centre, which includes an Aldi store, a Costa drive through and a parade of trade counter units. A planning application has been submitted with work expected to start this summer and be completed by the end of next year.

The support offered by the Hattersley Work and Skills coach is continuing and over the last financial year they have supported 11 individuals into employment, 43 into training, 21 into volunteering and 251 with the first steps into employment.

Barratt Homes have contributed £4million into a fund that is enabling Onward Homes and Tameside Council to provide public realm infrastructure, such as playgrounds and improvements to natural spaces, gateways and parking. Two playgrounds at Fields Farm Road and Underwood Road and an Adventure Trail and Trim Trail at Porlock Avenue have been completed. Plans for a Multi-Use Games Area off Ashworth Lane and the opening up of Waterside Clough are progressing.

Also, the newly refurbished ticket office at Hattersley Station is providing a much-improved passenger experience and facility. A bid has been submitted to the Department of Transport for improved access to the station platform.

A Tameside Council Spokesperson said: “It’s good to see people moving into affordable housing, staff at work at the innovative science park and children enjoying exciting new playgrounds as the work that’s gone into transforming Hattersley into a vibrant and sustainable community comes into fruition.”