Urban regeneration and PRS specialist, Sigma Capital Group plc, recently welcomed Mary Robinson, Member of Parliament for Cheadle, at three of its Greater Manchester developments, to demonstrate how it delivers high-quality family rental housing at pace and the placemaking and regeneration effects which follow.

The developments toured were situated in Lower Broughton, Walkden and Little Hulton, where the Cheadle MP got to see, first hand, the type of quality homes and developments which Sigma delivers through its Simple Life brand.

Delivered on brownfield sites, the developments have brought much needed new housing to the local areas, as well as bringing redundant land back into economic use.

The developments are just three of 24 sites currently under development by Sigma across the North West of England.

Mary Robinson MP, said: “It was great to see the work Sigma is doing to transform brownfield sites into new homes and new communities. I was impressed with its record of, not only building the kinds of homes we need, but investing in much needed infrastructure such as schools.

“These new homes are having a fantastic impact on the lives of the people who live in them and there’s a lot to be said for a model of development such as this. I hope it continues to grow.”

Rob Sumner, residential investment director at Sigma, said: “As a member of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee it was great to be able to show Mary the progress we have made and the change we are delivering. We’re committed to building developments where the homes are not only high-quality but where community also thrives.

“As an investor in the long-term, it’s important to us that these places are sustainable and add true value to the local area. Hearing positive feedback from Mary Robinson is hugely encouraging to us and our vision, and we look forward to working together again in the future.”

Heaton & Partners, the prominent London and country property search agency, which was established four years ago, has expanded into the north of England by merging with renowned residential expert, Phil Martin of AcQuire Property. This will see Heaton & Partners now cover prime northern property hotspots including Cheshire, Manchester, Liverpool and the Lake District.

Martin worked for the original Garrington Home Finders alongside Phil Spencer, of TV’s “Location, Location, Location” programme for five years from 2004, then the follow-on company Garrington Property Finders before he set up AcQuire in 2015. Martin specialises in acting for buyers in prime residential property acquisition, ranging from luxury city centre apartments, through property investment portfolios to multimillion pound country houses. Prior to this, Martin held a career in IS/IT, with senior roles at global companies including IBM, Ernst & Young and Reebok International.

Martin will work with Edward Heaton, founder of Heaton & Partners, to grow the property investment side of the business, encouraging clients to focus on key northern cities such as Manchester and Liverpool as well as Prime Central London. Rents are forecast to grow by 7 per cent in London but by almost 18 per cent in the next five years in Manchester and Liverpool*.

Phil Martin, now a partner at Heaton & Partners, comments: “This is the time for savvy businesses like Heaton & Partners to look north. The north west has become an increasingly attractive property investment opportunity in the last few years; with Manchester particularly going through a boom. High profile companies are looking to relocate their operations to the north; the expansion of both Manchester and Liverpool airports brings new opportunities from afar, and HS2 will cut travel to London to an hour. I am delighted to be helping Heaton & Partners expand into one of the fastest growing economic regions of the UK outside London.”

Edward Heaton, founder of Heaton & Partners commented: “Having Phil operating in the major Northern hotspots is essential to the future of our business. Until the UK leaves the EU next March, house price growth is expected to continue to be stronger away from higher value areas like London and the south east. More of our clients are now considering the north west as an alternative to London. Interest domestically and from overseas has surged as investors look for alternative investment opportunities outside the capital.”