Business case backed for Brunswick PFI

A business case outlining £4.9m in savings from the original plans has been given the go-ahead, resulting in an overall cost of £113m for the project.

Under the plans, over 650 council homes will be refurbished, while up to 500 new homes will be built, along with new shops and office space.

“This announcement takes us a step closer to a new Brunswick, and although we still face a number of hurdles, this is a welcome announcement that gives some light at the end of the tunnel for residents who have waited years for these plans,” said Jim Battle, deputy leader at Manchester City Council.

Fern Consortium, comprising Harvest Housing Group and Gleeson, was shortlisted for the contract along with Solutions 4 Brunswick (Contour Housing, Galliford Try and Mears), back in January 2009.

But the project has faced several delays after the coalition government halted all housing PFI schemes. Although the Brunswick development was approved in July last year, a new business case cutting costs was required before it could go ahead.

For more information on the scheme, click here.