Angela Rayner opens affordable housing scheme in Droylsden

A new housing development providing more affordable homes for people in Tameside has officially been launched by Ashton MP Angela Rayner.

The deputy leader of the Labour Party cut the ribbon to mark the opening and chatted with residents at the new scheme on Waterway Close in Droylsden.

She was joined by the Leader of Tameside Council Ged Cooney, representatives from Homes England and Brian Moran, the chief executive of housing provider Jigsaw Homes Group which manages the homes.

Jigsaw Homes worked closely with Tameside Council, Homes England and contractor J Greenwood, to deliver the 62 homes on the site of a former industrial unit, helping to bring a vacant brownfield site back to life.

The development incorporates 26 three-bedroom family homes and 36 one-bedroom apartments, all for affordable rent, which were allocated by Tameside Council and some via homeless nominations from Tameside Housing Advice.

Ms Rayner said: “It’s really important that we are building more new affordable homes, as there is a huge shortage especially here in Tameside.

“It’s testament to Jigsaw, their partners and Tameside Council who have worked together to bring this development to life, that schemes like this are available for people who need them most.

“The most important thing is that the people here who have been waiting a long time now have a place to call home.”

Brian Moran said: “We have a long-standing commitment to the borough, with a great track record of providing affordable homes to help meet local demand, with more than 7,000 people on the waiting list for housing in Tameside alone.

“It was a pleasure to have welcomed Angela Rayner here to see this scheme, to meet some of our residents and to hear more about the work we are doing to build homes and create vibrant communities.”

Cllr Cooney added: “We are working proactively with our partners to build more homes in our borough as the demand is huge. It takes organisations like Jigsaw and other housing providers to regenerate industrial and brownfield sites and deliver housing that is needed now more than ever.”

These latest homes benefit from canalside views, private gardens as well as car parking for the apartments, private car ports and electric vehicle charge points. Refuse/recycling storage is also included.