£8m Burnage development for over 55s completed after several years of setbacks
- New social housing development, Dahlia House, will house 56 apartments for over 55s
- £8m development originally intended to be completed in late 2020
- Social housing development for older people preparing to accept new tenants
A new Burnage social housing development scheme is preparing to accept new tenants after overcoming two years of unforeseen setbacks.
The £8m development at Dahlia House was originally intended to open its doors in late 2020.
It has now been formally completed and handed over by Southway Housing Trust.
The ‘With Care’ scheme is an affordable housing option from the social landlord in partnership with the council, offering homes for older people aged 55 or over.
The aim is to help residents maintain their independence.
Construction of the site affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, additional challenges arose for the development when the original construction company contracted to deliver the properties went into administration in December 2019.
Karen Mitchell, chief executive of Southway Housing, said: “This has been a complex and challenging development for many reasons,
“We are delighted that the hard work, flexibility and responsiveness of our staff and our partners has delivered a successful outcome which will be of real benefit to the community.”
Gavin White, the council’s executive member for housing and employment, added: “It’s great to see another development for people over the age of 55 that will provide high quality social housing and with care on-site for those that need it.
“It’s important that as a city we are creating attractive options for people to move into later in life. This has been a challenging project and it’s with great thanks to Southway for persevering to deliver the homes, which will be so welcomed in the Burnage community”.
City council leader Bev Craig, who is a local Burnage member and former Southway Housing Trust board member, was involved with the development from the outset.
She took to Twitter to share her delight at completion of the development.
56 new social homes in Burnage. Can’t wait to see local residents moved in. This has been a long road (well over 5 years of hard work) but together @ManCityCouncil and @SouthwayHousing persevered. This was just one scheme of many but so pleased to see. https://t.co/hgU3p2YSV3
— Bev Craig (@bevcraig) February 2, 2022
Dahlia House is the second of Southway’s ‘With Care’ developments to completed by Rowlinson recently, following the completion last year of Gorton Mill House.
David Chilton, managing director of Rowlinson, said: “Providing quality housing choices for older people is crucial and these new homes tick every box.
“Rowlinson is proud to have been part of the delivery team and, despite the challenges, know that both residents and the wider community will benefit from this development”.
The plot is a former industrial laundry site and includes 34 one-bedroom homes and 22 two-bedroom apartments.
Occupants will also have access to a flexible range on on-site care packages and support, depending on their current and future needs.
It offers communal areas for residents with a variety of facilities for the residents including a community café, community space and landscaped gardens.
The first occupants are expected to move in later this month.