Construction of new family homes under way in Bury

Friday, 14 March 2025 22:06

By David Murphy

At the Seedfield site are (from left) Paul Lakin, executive director of place at Bury Council; Lynne Ridsdale, the council’s chief executive; Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council; and Ed Milner, managing director

Work has started to transform the site of the former Seedfield Centre in Bury into 81 much-needed new family homes.

The brownfield site at Seedfield, off Walmersley Road, closed as a school in 1987 and subsequently had a variety of uses, but for years had lain derelict, attracting vandals and anti-social behaviour.

The council has worked with developers Hive Homes to bring the plans for new homes to fruition, with £1 million of Brownfield Housing Fund Grant being awarded from the GMCA to remediate the land.

Over the summer, the disused and redundant buildings were cleared which were dangerous and contaminated with asbestos.

The new development, named Roedeer Gardens, will realise 81 three and four bed, high-quality homes for rent and ownership, along with new facilities for the local football club.

New club changing facilities, access improvements and two new car parks for use by Seedfield Juniors FC have been built on part of the site, funded through the development’s section 106 contribution.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “We have a ‘brownfield first’ policy when it comes to building new houses. This is a fantastic use of a derelict site, and we look forward to bringing to back to life with new homes for families with a range of housing needs.”

Some 25% of the new homes will be affordable housing, under a range of tenures including affordable rent, shared ownership and first homes.

Sustainability is also at the forefront of the development, with homes designed to Part L building standards and equipped with roof-mounted solar panels and a heat exchanger mechanism.

Hive Homes are a ‘profit for purpose’ housebuilder formed to deliver much-needed homes in Greater Manchester aimed at first time buyers, growing families and single homeowners. It is owned and funded by ten of Manchester’s leading Registered Providers and the GMCA.

Ed Milner, managing director of Hive Homes, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by Bury Council as their partner for the re-development of the former Seedfield Centre and are looking forward to transforming this underused site into 81 much needed high quality, energy efficient homes under a range of tenures with 25% of the scheme satisfying the council’s Affordable criteria.

“Hive and the council have worked together closely to bring forward additional benefits to the local community through the provision of new changing facilities and off-site parking for the neighbouring Seedfield Juniors Football Club as well as street lighting improvements on Parkinson Street and pedestrian crossing upgrade on Walmersley Road.

“Along with our sister scheme at Scholar’s Green in Radcliffe, this is Hive’s second scheme in Bury and we hope to do many more in the borough.”

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