'Go to the front of our housing queue'

The Manningham Housing Association scheme, the first of its kind in the city, has been drawn up with the help of social workers.

The housing association is spending £448,000 on building five big new family homes on a brownfield site at St Stephen's Road, West Bowling.

The site used to be a carpet factory which was burned down. Since then the site has attracted rats and rubbish.

All five families who are housed at the development must sign up to be 'good neighbours' by offering to help other residents with help like gardening and car maintenance.

And one of the homes is earmarked for a family which fosters disabled children under Bradford Council's innovative Shared Care scheme.

"This is a very special development," said Vince Enyori, chairman of Manningham Housing Association.

"We have worked with social services for the last 18 months to develop a building we can offer to people with disabilities. We have finally achieved it."

He added: "One of the units on this site will be adapted for wheelchair use, and we will give preference for that unit for people who look after other people's children - that's something we would like to encourage."

The homes will go to people in the local area, in housing need, who also have something to contribute to the community.

"That could be a willingness to mind children, or certain skills like car maintenance, gardening or DIY," Mr Enyori said.

Councillor Jim O'Neill, executive council member for housing, said: "It is really great that something positive is being done to the formerly burned-out building.

"The site was derelict with illegal fly tipping and rats and was an eyesore for local residents. I firmly believe that there is a clear need for local authorities and housing associations to encourage mutual support networks."

Building work is expected to be finished in November.

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