City councillors are set to appoint a contractor for a 274-home scheme in the Ordsall area of Salford on two sites that have been vacant for about 10 years. The £60million development will be built by Countryside Properties, part of the Vistry Group, off Robert Hall Street and West Park Street. The city council’s procurement board are poised to approve the awarding of the contract for the scheme which will see 48 two-bedroom, 77 three-bedroom and 12 four-bedroom houses as well as 72 one-bed and 65 two-bed apartments split equally across the two sites. Some 41per cent will be ‘affordable’ to be managed by the city’s own housing arm, Derive. The procurement process follows the granting of a planning application for the scheme about five weeks ago. “The new homes are proposed to be highly energy efficient and sustainable in line with the aspirations of Derive,” a report to the procurement board said. “This includes improvements to local connectivity and areas of open space including the retention and improvement of the existing Tatton Park. “The new homes are proposed to be highly energy efficient and sustainable in line with the aspirations of Derive.” The report said Countryside Properties ‘have given a commitment to work with the city council on an open book basis and to provide an assessment of required expenditure’. “It is also recommended that a full financial check on Vistry Partnerships to confirm the financial stability before entering into second stage negotiations,” the report concludes.
