NEW HOMES with affordable rents have been unveiled on the former site of Grove Mill at Ingrow.

Bradford housing association Accent Housing has completed 18 new homes alongside a large number of privately-owned houses at the site between Halifax Road and the River Worth.

In recent years the site has undergone a major redevelopment, including the demolition of old mill buildings, and now has more than 400 flats and houses.

Accent acquired the 18 homes as part of an agreement with house builders Skipton Properties to develop affordable housing.

Seven new residents have already moved in and the remaining residents will collect their keys this month.

One of the new residents is Jessica Croft, who said: “I can’t believe this lovely new home is going to be mine.”

Jessica said that, thanks to the enclosed yard around her new home, it would be the first time her children would have a safe, outside place in which to play.

Accent’s regional housing director Deborah Kelly said she was delighted for association to have the opportunity to own and manage the new homes.

She added: “Sadly our country is in a housing crisis with not enough quality, affordable homes to go around and so many people are affected by it.

“This is why developments like these are so important and form such a vital part of any community.

“They provide an opportunity for families in housing need to rent an affordable, high quality, safe and secure property they are proud to call home where they can make a real life for themselves.

“We are overjoyed to see a new community already starting to take shape.”

Grove Mill started life as a cotton-spinning business latterly owned by Robert Clough, a worsted spinner and manufacturer employing more than 500 people in the area.

Accent Housing is a housing association providing homes and services to more than 21,000 families across the UK.

Accent’s homes in Keighley are managed from its registered office on Otley Road, Baildon, West Yorkshire.

Accent has been operating in Yorkshire for over 60 years and employs around 200 staff across the region.

Keighley Big Local, a volunteer-run regeneration programme bringing £1 million to the lower Worth Valley, is working closely with residents of the Grove Mills site to develop amenities and community projects.