A mum who has been given the keys to a ‘state-of-the-art’ new council home in Oldham said it has ‘given her family a whole new world’.
Oldham council has bought 19 eco-friendly, five-bedroom properties in Primrose Bank to provide affordable family accommodation in the borough.
Mum-of-four Louise is one of the first residents to move into the development, and more families will be moving into seven of the homes in the coming weeks.
The remaining 12 houses are due to be handed over to the town hall from the construction firm Engie Regeneration in late February.
Louise said the new home had changed her and her children’s ‘future’. “You have given us a new world literally,” she added.
“We were previously living in a top floor two-bedroom maisonette – it was cramped, nobody had their own space and I had even had to convert the utility room into a bedroom.
“Our new home is a kingdom. It has opened up so many opportunities for my family and for my children to thrive and prosper. It is amazing and it will change our lives.”
The homes on Ashton Road and Lee Street provide the borough with a type of housing which chiefs say is in ‘desperately short supply’.
They are being let at affordable rent, which is up to 80pc of market rent.
Councillor Hannah Roberts, cabinet member for housing said: “We are so happy to see the first families moving into their new homes and we wish them every happiness for the future.
“These homes will make a real difference to the lives of local families for many years.
“With more properties coming forward, I urge anyone on the council’s housing register who needs a home of this type, to keep an eye out for the property advert and bid.”
Each home features ‘world-leading’ renewable energy equipment including photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and modern electrical heating which reduces carbon emissions and each property’s reliance on the National Grid.
Great Places Housing Group is managing the new homes on behalf of the council.
