North Manchester residents are being invited to find out about important plans for more than 400 affordable family homes in Harpurhey and Moston.

The new homes will support the regeneration of the area and in particular will help first time buyers.

It follows an agreement between Redrow Homes and Manchester City Council, subject to contract, to develop six different sites, with new housing centred around Cole and Albine Street, Princedom Street, Winnie Street, Bute Street, Hanson Road and Kingsley Avenue.

Detailed planning applications for five of the sites are soon to be submitted to Manchester City Council and these will be displayed during four open days at the Simpson Memorial Hall, in Moston Lane, on March 6, 9,13 and 16.

Residents will also be able to find out how the homes are being made more affordable through a 75% shared equity loan scheme and about employment opportunities for local people. There will be an exclusive sales period in which existing Harpurhey and Moston residents will get the first opportunity to buy the new properties before it is open to everyone else.

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Representatives of Redrow and Manchester City Council will be available during the open days to discuss the proposals.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "These plans demonstrate real investor confidence in North Manchester despite the current global economic climate. Improving housing quality and choice in the area is a central part of our strategy to ensure it is a popular place to live.

"These 400-plus new homes will provide affordable, desirable housing options both for existing residents and people who want to move into the area. They will add momentum to the regeneration of Moston and Harpurhey, complementing all the investment that's taking place there. We look forward to sharing more details about these plans with residents."

The six areas to be developed by Redrow range in size from one acre to seven acres, a total of 25 acres in all, and are all within half a kilometre of each other. The sites were prepared thanks to support from the Homes and Communities Agency and Manchester Salford Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder to improve housing quality and choice for existing and potential residents.

All of the sites are at the heart of Moston and Harpurhey, close to the Moston Lane and North City shopping and services centres, North Manchester Sixth Form College and several schools - all of which have been the focus of considerable investment. Manchester City Council is currently working on a masterplan for the Moston Lane area, which will guide further improvements.

(CD/GK)