Developing new homes

Developing new homes

In 2021 we are forecasted to deliver 482 new homes by end-of year with an additional 1600 affordable new homes on-site to be completed in the next 12-24 months. Our successful bid to become a new Homes England Strategic Partner means that we will be able to develop an additional 4,920 grant-funded homes across the North by 2028.

We have sold 139 new homes for market sale and shared ownership and invested £38.5m to build new affordable homes. A total of £7m has been spent on investment projects this financial year.

Partnership working is crucial to our success and earlier this year we were delighted to be selected as one of three housing associations to help deliver the first 800 affordable homes as part of the new 15,000-home Victoria North Project in Manchester.

We also remain an active and committed partner in the next phase of the development of the New Islington and Ancoats area close to Manchester City Centre with approval given on two key flagship projects; 68 affordable homes on the two-acre site of vacant land behind Downley Drive and Kingham Drive, and the redevelopment of what remains of the iconic Grade 2 listed Ancoats Dispensary building into a mixture of 39 one and two bed apartments for affordable rent.

We continue to focus on the quality of the homes we deliver and this year we’ve taken a particular focus on our apartment specifications and how our homes can be built to low carbon standards.

Horrace Street case study

We continue to work with local authorities to tackle the need for specialist housing. This year we worked with Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council to develop 18 age-friendly, one-bedroom cottage-style apartments for affordable rent at Horrace Street in Bolton.

The timber frame development has replaced the former St Joseph’s Parish Centre and was the first development for our recently launched in-house construction company Terra Nova Developments.

Working with the Council, we identified the need for this type of age-friendly accommodation in the area and the apartments have been carefully designed to enable future customers to live independently for as long as possible.

The new homes feature wet rooms, intercom systems for upper-floor apartments and wider-than-standard parking spaces. Close attention has been paid to future proofing the new homes, which will feature enhanced specifications, and we have engaged the specialist team at Invisible Creations to utilise their range of age-friendly products, including discreet bathroom adaptions.