Manchester City Council have submitted a planning application for 69 new low carbon social housing in Newton Heath, which will bring a long-term brownfield site back into use.
The properties will include 36 one and 12 two bedroom apartments, 17 two storey, three bedroom houses and four three storey, four bedroom houses, with 16 of the apartments being available to people over the age of 55.
Off-road parking will be included as part of the development, including 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 Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) design principles, which ensures larger internal space as standard and will easily accommodate someone using a wheelchair, along with extra storage space.
The houses will have 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, electric vehicle charging points and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep utility costs down for residents.
Built by a construction company, the design of the homes will be informed by the history of Newton Heath, celebrating the brickwork that characterises the local area and will be managed by Northwards Housing.
The development is being part funded through the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund, which will help deliver 522 new homes on disused land across Manchester over the next five years.
Manchester City Council has committed to supporting the delivery of at least 6,400 affordable homes in the city between 2015 and 2025.
This is at least 20% of the total pipeline of 32,000 homes expected to be built during this period and the council is on track to exceed the affordable homes target up to 2025.
Commenting, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Employment, Councillor Gavin White said:
“We have made a clear commitment to delivering affordable homes in the communities that need them and this project is a great example.
“At a time when it remains incredibly difficult for councils to directly build new housing, this development is not only increasing the number of social homes available to local people, while bringing brownfield land back into use.
"But also providing housing options for older people and with green principles and technology at its heart.
“We know these homes will be incredibly welcome in the community and I can’t wait to see these homes come to fruition.”
PSE will be hosting a Public Sector Decarbonisation event on 9 September. Join us for the full day event by registering here.
