Council-owned homes completed in Bamber Bridge

South Ribble Borough Council has built its first new residential development in a quarter of a century.

The new homes, located at the former McKenzie Arms site on Station Road, have been completed and welcomed in nearly 30 new residents.

On site there are three, three-bedroom townhouses, nine one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments.

All homes are high quality affordable rented homes that meet all current space and energy standards which will aim to give a high level of comfort, using very little energy for heating and cooling.

A local connection criterion was added as part of the application process for the homes to ensure that the quality affordable properties were available for local people with a specific link to the area of Bamber Bridge.

Coun Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: "I just cannot get over how amazing it is to see these homes finished with new residents moving in. We wanted to create quality, affordable and energy efficient homes for local people and we have delivered.

“I hope this is the first of many quality homes we can build across the borough. Our residents deserve the very best, and local people should not have to settle for rogue landlords, many of whom offer sub-standard properties at extortionate prices. This is a new era for council housing, and I cannot wait to look at how we can develop more.”

The homes while council owned, are to be managed on a day-to-day basis by Leyland-based Progress Housing Group

Robert Porter, director of housing operations for Progress Housing Group, said: "We are delighted to see the development reach completion and are thrilled to be managing these homes on behalf of South Ribble Borough Council. It is a great example of our continued partnership working.

"The properties have been built to a high quality and are situated in a convenient central location, near transport links, schools and shops. These new homes help to meet the acute shortage of affordable homes in the borough and an ever-growing increase in demand."

The project was part funded through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and One Public Estates Land Release Fund and Homes England with the project delivered by Tyson Construction.