Work has started on site to build 69 low-carbon new social homes on Silk Street, Newton Heath.
The project will bring back into use a long-term under-used brownfield site to build 36 one-bedroom apartments; 12 two-bedroom apartments; 17 two storey, three-bedroom houses; and 4 three storey, four-bedroom houses – while 16 of the apartments will be available to people over the age of 55.
Off-road parking will be included as part of the development, along with electric vehicle charging points, and private driveways for the houses.
Each of the apartments will have a balcony and living walls will provide a green aesthetic to the development, along with shared outdoor green space. They will also be built to HAPPI design principles that ensure larger internal space as standard, which will easily accommodate someone using a wheelchair, along with extra storage space.
The houses will have generous gardens and solar panels, while the apartments will feature living green roofs as part of the project’s low carbon commitment.
This will also include the use of Ground Source Heat Pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep utility costs down for residents.
The homes are being constructed by Rowlinson with a design informed by the history of Newton Heath, celebrating the brickwork that characterises the local area. The homes will be managed by Northwards Housing.
The development is being part-funded through the Government’s Brownfield Land Fund, which will help deliver 522 new homes on disused land across the city over the next five years.
The city is already on track to surpass the affordable homes delivery target, which was to support at least 6,400 affordable homes to be built in the city between 2015 and 2025. The Council now expects to deliver more than 7,000 affordable homes in this period, more than meeting the 20% affordable target for all housing development in the city.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said:
“This is a milestone to celebrate and the culmination of a lot of hard work to bring this Council-owned brownfield site back into use.
“This development will deliver 69 new low carbon social homes across a range of sizes – including apartments and town houses. And 16 of the homes will be available to people over the age of 55, giving local people the option to move into a new sustainable home that is right for their needs.
“This is exactly the type of development that we should be doing in Manchester – and what’s more the homes overlook the canal and are located right by the high street in Newton Heath. Which means residents lucky enough to snap up one of these homes will have the services they need right on their doorstep.”
David Chilton, managing director, Rowlinson said:
“We’re pleased to be on site and making early progress on this impressive scheme.
“Local people will start seeing more of the Rowlinson team around, as we start the work in earnest, delivering these new social homes of the highest standards.
“Our aim is always to work with the community and keep disruption to a minimum, wherever we can.”
