Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council, joined Great Places Housing Group to mark the official start of work on Great Places’ latest £12.8m flagship affordable development scheme in New Islington.
Cllr. White was joined by Great Places’ Chief Executive Matthew Harrison, council officials and members of the project team at the site close to Downley Drive in New Islington which is set to be transformed into 68 affordable homes.
The development will consist of 23 two- and three-bedroom houses available for shared ownership, and 45 one- and two-bedroom apartments available for social rent. The site was acquired from Manchester City Council and is part-funded by Homes England through Great Places’ latest Homes England Strategic Partnership.
Working with contractors Rowlinson Constructions Ltd, the development looks to combine high-quality design with low carbon sustainability.
Key features include air source heat pumps, enhanced insulation, mechanical heat recovery and a solar panel array on the apartments. The development will also include parking with Electric Vehicle charging points and cycle stores.
The development is the second key project in the latest, coordinated phase by Great Places, Manchester City Council and Manchester Life to deliver over 400 new homes for a broad range of housing needs. This phase is a continuation of coordinated regeneration and development across the neighbourhood over the last 20 years. The programme has seen New Islington and Ancoats transform into an attractive and vibrant mixed-use neighbourhood.
Commenting on the start of Downley Drive, Matthew Harrison, Chief Executive at Great Places said: “We’re delighted to be starting work on Downley Drive, our flagship low carbon development, which supports the GMCA and Council’s aspirations to create a liveable and carbon free city, focusing on affordability and environmental sustainability.”
“We’ve been involved as a key regeneration partner in the New Islington and Ancoats area from the early days at the start of the twenty-first century. This project marks the next phase of our ongoing partnership work with Manchester City Council, to build much-needed affordable new homes in the heart of what is a thriving community close to Manchester city centre.”
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, added: “Great Places’ commitment to delivering affordable homes around the city centre has been hugely welcome. This development, on former council land, alongside the iconic Ancoats Dispensary nearby are brilliant examples of our housing partners meeting the need for high quality, low carbon, affordable homes that Manchester people can access, while continuing the long-term regeneration story of this part of the city centre.”
The first shared ownership homes are due to be completed from Autumn 2023. Shared ownership sales will be handled by shared ownership specialists, Plumlife Sales.
