Sustainable homes to hit Manchester as development work commences

A Manchester-based development organisation have begun constructing over 120 new low carbon properties.

Due to be situated in Ancoats, the new development, which was announced to have started being built last week, will include 118 apartments across two buildings – a mix of 27 one bed and 91 two bed homes – and 10 town houses – eight three bed and two four bed homes.

A third of the homes will be made available at the Manchester Living Rent which is capped at the government’s Local Housing Allowance rate (LHA). This means that the homes will be affordable to residents on full housing benefits and expands the housing offer for people on low incomes in the city centre.

The development company, otherwise known as This City, claimed they chose to build in Ancoats as the location allows for residents to walk and cycle more, whilst still providing access to local public transport links.

Although the new homes are hopefully going to encourage people to sustainably travel, each of the town houses will include off-street parking with electric vehicle charge points. Seven disabled parking spaces will also be made available on the site, which has been designed by architect Buttress.

In addition to promoting eco-friendly travel, the new development with also include a vast amount of planting and new trees to complement the wider public realm strategy to make Ancoats a low-carbon, sustainable neighbourhood.

The establishment is being built by the company Wates, who, as well as delivering sustainable new homes, help to encourage young people into the construction sector. The organisation provides 140 weeks’ worth of work experience for students and invests £500,000 into local Voluntary Community and Social Enterprises.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: ‘Marking our first start-on-site for This City is a real moment for us. The aim for This City is about using Council-owned land to build the homes that our residents need, that our residents can affordable, in locations they want to live. Rodney Street exemplifies this vision.  

‘The regeneration journey of Ancoats over the last 20years has been a remarkable achievement, and this development continues that story, creating low carbon homes and affordable housing options in the city centre, complemented by quality green space and sustainable transport options. 

‘The road to building this type of housing is always challenging, particularly in the context of the current economic conditions, but we are proud to celebrate these homes and what they will mean to the Manchester people who live in them.’

Image: Thomas Foster