Developer secures funds for two schemes in Manchester to provide 779 homes

Housing minister Brandon Lewis has awarded developer Renaker 拢55m to build 779 homes for private rent across two sites in Manchester.

The deals will provide 拢35.1m for 497 homes at the Greengate development in Salford, and 拢20.2m for 282 homes for rent at Cambridge Street in the city centre.

The funds have been awarded from the Government鈥檚 Build to Rent fund, which has been designed to help developers produce large-scale, quality homes, specifically for the private rented sector. 

Each site will include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties. Work is already underway, and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.

Renaker was founder by Daren Whitaker, a former director of Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 piling business.

Speaking about the grant at the British Property Federation鈥檚 annual conference, Lewis said: 鈥淢illions of people use the flexible option of renting so I鈥檓 determined to create a bigger, better private rental market offering greater choice for tenants.

鈥淭his extra money will not only create 800 more homes for the people of Manchester and Salford, it will also create jobs and security for hardworking people 鈥 a vital part of our long term economic plan to secure a better future for Britain.鈥

Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency Andy Rose said: 鈥淭his is a major investment in the private rented sector in Manchester. It demonstrates how the HCA, working closely with partners, is combining financial and local expertise to increase the private rented choice in areas where there is a high demand for homes.鈥