Construction begins on 108 affordable homes in Salford

(Credit: Eddie Garvey | eg13multimedia)

Work has now begun on the multi-million-pound Canon Green Campus project which will deliver over 100 affordable homes to Salford.

Salford-based housing association Salix Homes, which owns over 8,000 homes across Salford, have appointed contractor Willmott Dixon to deliver the £22.5m development on Canon Green Drive in Trinity.

The project will see the modernisation of the iconic 1960s tower block Canon Green Court, while the neighbouring apartment block Westminister House will undergo a visual facelift.

A brand new 11-storey apartment block will also be built on the site, comprising of 108 one- and two-bedroom affordable apartments which will be available under the Rent to Buy scheme.

Contractors are now on site with the refurbishment and the new-build construction set to run simultaneously for the next two years.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: ‘The start of work on our Canon Green Campus development marks a pivotal moment for Salix Homes and for Salford, and we look forward to seeing work progress on site over the next two years.

‘This is the largest affordable housing development in the area and we are confident that this ambitious scheme will make a valuable contribution to delivering the high quality, affordable homes that Salford desperately needs.’

Canon Green Court’s refurbishment will see the addition of new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, sprinklers, exterior re-facing and insulation.

The development, which has been partially funded with a £3.8m grant from Homes England, is now expected to be completed in spring 2021.

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North, said: ‘With our track-record for creating new homes in Greater Manchester, we’re proud to be working alongside Salix Homes on what is a much-needed, exciting and transformational investment for the Salford community.

‘Together, we share a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy for existing and future residents who will continue to play a central role in shaping these plans.’

Salford City Council gave the green light to the Canon Green Campus development last September after facing questions about their housing policies.

The council were criticised last July after plans for 300 homes in Lower Broughton were approved, despite them including no ‘affordable’ housing.

In an interview with NewStart last November, Salix Homes chief executive Lee Sugden said the Canon Green Campus project would be important for Salford, promising that the 108 apartments would be ‘genuinely affordable’.