Around 30 people now call Bamber Bridge home after South Ribble Borough Council opened the doors on its completed homes at the former McKenzie Arms site on Station Road.

The project - to build the first council-owned homes in over 25 years - began in 2020 and tenants have started to move in. The homes while council-owned, are to be managed by Progress Housing Group.

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

All homes are high quality affordable rented properties 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.

One tenant set to move into the one of the properties, Suzanne, said: "We are really excited to move into our new home. The homes are gorgeous, they are very spacious and done to a high standard.

"Myself and my daughter are happy to stay in Bamber Bridge where we have lived all of our lives and get to stay close to our friends and family."

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.

Councillor 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."

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. 

"We are really pleased to welcome tenants to their new homes and wish them many years of happiness in them."

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.

This article is written by South Ribble Borough Council and adapted, with permission to go on our website.

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