First residents move into previously derelict area

The new houses in Collyhurst include council-owned homes for social rent

The first new residents of a neighbourhood which has remained deserted for about 15 years have moved into their homes.

Collyhurst, in north Manchester, was once home to comedian Les Dawson and footballer Nobby Stiles when the area was filled with Victorian terraced houses but these were demolished in the 1960s as part of the national slum clearance programme.

Many of the council houses built in their place were also bulldozed in 2010 due to poor quality with acres of land being left derelict until redevelopment began last year.

Beth Davies, one of the residents of the first 24 houses to be completed, said: "The house is great - it's the first time I've ever lived in a new build."

Some of the land in Collyhurst has roads, pavements and lamp-posts, but no homes.

She continued: "It was the only place we could realistically get a house rather than a flat that was within walking distance of town.

"There's loads of space. I love having a garden."

She said the area was "a bit strange" due to its emptiness.

"We're the first street in the middle of a building site so it's hard to envisage what it's all going to look like in five, 10 years."

Of the new houses, 10 are new homes for existing social housing residents on the estate and 14 have been sold or are on the market.

A modernist concrete sculpture was in front of a block of maisonettes which were demolished

Manchester City Council has said there was room for up to 3,000 new houses on the land, with construction currently under way on another 260 homes - 130 of which will be for social rent.

The authority said it was working with developer Far East Consortium (FEC) to undertake consultation with the local community "to help guide the long-term masterplan for the neighbourhood".

They said the plan would include different types of housing and a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills as well as green spaces and walking and cycling routes.

However, those further phases of development could involve demolishing existing properties and many of those residents do not want to move.

The council's executive member for housing and development Gavin White said Collyhurst was "an area that we really wanted to invest in".

He added: "We're really excited about the new tram stop that's coming there and the new community infrastructure, schools and doctors and dentists that will come alongside the future housing."