First phase handovers

Rowlinson has completed the first tranche of 69 new build, low carbon homes for social rent on Silk Street, Newton Heath on behalf of Manchester City Council.

Currently, 11 homes are complete and have been handed over to the council, ready for their new occupants to move in.

New resident, Judith Caines, moved in earlier this month with her three children. The family had been living in temporary accommodation since February.

“I can actually say I am at home, and I am happy to come home. That’s how nice it feels. After 17 years of stress and being unwell, being here feels like I’m living a real life.”

The development, which is bringing brownfield land back into use in a location that looks out onto the Rochdale Canal. is made up of a mix of homes, including:

• 17 two storey, three-bedroom houses
• 4 three storey, four-bedroom houses
• 36 one-bedroom apartments
• 12 two-bedroom apartments

HAPPI design principles have been implemented for the apartments providing a larger internal space as standard, The spaces can be further adapted to meet the needs of tenants, as well as easily accommodating wheelchair users, and feature useful extra storage space too.

Just over a quarter of the apartments, 16 in total, will be made available specifically to people over the age of 55, who are right sizing from other council properties in Newton Heath, and across North Manchester.

All of the homes in the development are fitted with solar panels, modern kitchens, generous gardens, private driveways,  electric charging points and will be heated through ground source heat pumps.

Each of the apartments will have a balcony, along with shared outdoor space plus living walls and roofs providing a nature-led green aesthetic to the development.

This fits entirely with the low carbon credentials that are at the heart of the scheme.

Measures include the use of ground source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep utility costs down for residents.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said: 

“This really is a moment for celebration. I have followed this development closely from the planning stages, through construction and it’s wonderful to see these homes finally complete and passed over to the new residents, who I am sure will be very pleased with their new home.

“This development represents the commitment we have to our residents to build more high quality social and affordable homes, while also delivering zero and low carbon properties that are cheaper to run.

“At Silk Street we aren’t just building property. We’re building a lasting community of people who love their homes, love their neighbourhood and have real pride in where they live. And this is what building homes should be about.”

David Chilton, managing director, Rowlinson, said: 

“This is a great community to be working alongside and we’re proud to be part of the team that is bringing low carbon living to the new residents. The completed homes are delivering a new, high standard for social housing with a range of smart solutions, making them affordable to rent and to live in, whilst helping to protect the environment.

“Our work is continuing at pace to complete the equally impressive apartments, meaning more people can benefit from this high quality, sustainable development.”

New low carbon social housing

To date, 12 apprentices have gained vital experience working onsite at the development, including three people from the Newton Heath area. They have worked on a range of elements including electrical installation, mechanical works and project management.

In all, they have delivered over 300 weeks of activity, double the target amount, highlighting the positive impact the apprentices are having on site.

Support for the local community has featured throughout the programme with Rowlinson team members hosting a number of site visits from local school children plus work experience for a student from Wright Robinson College.

At Brighter Beginnings nursery, which neighbours the site, the toddlers have had VIP access to see the diggers at work, along with help from the team in updating their garden space with new benches, an outdoor sandpit, bug hotels and general maintenance.

Contributions have also been made towards planned improvements to the Peace Garden and War Memorial area led by the council’s Neighbourhood Team.

The remaining  houses will be completed by the end of summer  and the apartments will be handed over in the early part of autumn this year.

Date published: 28/07/2023