SIX brand new houses are being released for sale in Birkenhead as part of the housing market renewal programme in Wirral.

The new homes are three-bedroomed semis, all newly built, with off-road parking and turfed back gardens. The development is in Knowles Street in Central Birkenhead, ideally located five minutes' from both the shopping centre and Birkenhead Park. The whole area is being revitalised by the housing market renewal programme, with a major refurbishment scheme also planned for other homes in nearby Craven Street and Paterson Street. Each new home comes with built-in oven, hob and extractor; carpets throughout, a contribution to fridge-freezer, bath with shower over and a downstairs lavatory. The attractively designed houses are all built to modern day standards, and achieve an Eco Homes' 'very good' rating.

Chris Bowen, Housing Market Renewal Manager at Wirral Council, says: "We are delighted to see Regenda release these homes to the market on a site provided by the Council. We feel they demonstrate the many improvements that have taken place, and which continue to take place, in the area as part of the HMR programme. They would make ideal family homes, and are also priced affordably." The houses are being sold as the result of a partnership between NewHeartlands, the HMR pathfinder on Merseyside; Wirral Council and the Regenda Group.

Lynne Letford, Property Sales Officer at Regenda, said: "We think these homes offer a very high standard of affordable accommodation, and anticipate a lot of interest from buyers." The houses have an open market value of £99,000, sold with 75% shared equity, which means the purchaser pays £74,250. The rent on the equity is £56.72 a month, with a service charge of £25 a month.

For more information call the sales office on 0151 707 2151.