The successful partnership between Kellen Homes and Sigma reached a new milestone in Gorton this week when the leading North West housebuilder handed over the first phase of new homes to Sigma an established provider of high-quality build-to-rent housing across the UK.
The first, six completed homes are part of a development of 303, and a major youth, community and sporting hub at Mellands Park on Mount Road in Gorton, and this week the Kellen construction team handed over the keys to Sigma Capital Group, which will bring the homes to market under its build-to-rent (BTR) brand, Simple Life.
The wider scheme is being delivered by a partnership of Kellen Homes and Greater Manchester Youth Federation (GMYF), alongside Great Places Housing Group, Sigma Capital Group and Centrepoint. A total of 207 of the 303 homes will be available through Simple Life.
Ward Councillor Abid Chohan visited the site to cut the ribbon on the new homes and inspect the properties in advance of the new residents moving in. He said: “It is a pleasure and honour to mark the handover of these first new homes and I am delighted that families will now be able to start moving in to their new homes.
“Helping to bring forward affordable housing is a key pillar of our work as ward councillors representing the needs of the local community and I look forward to seeing the rest of the homes completed.”
Joanne Robertson, Head of Customer Services at Kellen Homes, said of the handover: “Mellands Park is further demonstration of our strong partnership with Sigma and it is a genuine pleasure to see the first homes completed and handed over ready for the first residents to move in.
“This development really is a once-in-a-generation neighbourhood with superb sporting and community facilities in an area where quality homes are so desperately needed. Today is an important landmark and it is always great the homes come to life as people move in and make them their own.”
Lee Catterall, Development Director at Sigma commented: We’re delighted to take the first phase of handovers and welcome the initial residents to Gorton. Simple Life provides high-quality, professionally managed rental homes that offer modern, flexible living options for the local community. We’re proud to support residents with a seamless renting experience, from move-in to day-to-day management. The community is already taking shape, and we’re excited for the full delivery, giving even more people the opportunity to enjoy well-designed, pet-friendly homes in this fantastic location.
Of the remaining homes being built, 36 of which will be independent living apartments for 16-to-25-year-olds leaving care, managed by the youth charity Centrepoint. A further 60 will be affordable homes made available through Great Places for shared ownership and social rent.
Greater Manchester Youth Federation will be building two, new, full-size grass football pitches, a combined netball and basketball court and a new youth and community hub. The sports facilities will be used predominantly by local grass roots football clubs for young people and GMYF affiliated clubs.
