Wates joins the Inspiral consortium, which comprises Regenter and Great Places Housing Group, to deliver the council’s £130m Gateways scheme.

The project was the most prized job on Rok’s books when the firm went under last month.

Oldham Council is expected to sign the contract with Inspiral early next year to transform five ‘gateway’ neighbourhoods of Crossley, Primrose Bank, Coldhurst, Westwood and Fitton Hill.

The first phase of the project will see construction of 430 new social and private homes, refurbishment of 324 existing council homes and the selective demolition of 332 existing properties.

Wates will carry out all building and refurbishment work and will also run the repairs contract. Great Places will be responsible for neighbourhood management.

The Inspiral consortium also hopes to win the £200m Creating A New Pendleton housing PFI for Salford City Council, which Wates has also been brought aboard to deliver.

Stephen Porter, chief executive of Great Places Housing Group, said: “We believe Wates will be a great partner for our current projects and will help to give us every chance of success in our bid for the Creating A New Pendleton housing project.”

Ian Burnett, Managing Director for Wates Living Space said: “We are delighted to have joined the Inspiral consortium and are looking forward to delivering the Gateways to Oldham private finance initiative.

“We hope our experience of delivering such projects will lead to our successful appointment to the Creating A New Pendleton housing private finance initiative for Salford City Council.”

The Inspiral consortium is up against SP+, a consortium consisting of Bullock Construction and Barratt Homes.