Newton Heath centre set for modular homes
Manchester City Council is planning to build up to 75 affordable homes in Newton Heath using modular construction, with completion of the first homes planned for 2020.
The proposed 1.78-acre site is on Silk Street in the centre of Newton Heath. Once the site of a large cotton mill, the land was more recently used for a market but is currently vacant and owned by the council.
The masterplan by Sixtwo Architects would see 21 houses offering three and four bedrooms, and between 45 to 54 one- and two-bedroom apartments, arranged in three separate buildings bordering the canal. Faithful + Gould are the multi-disciplinary consultant acting on behalf of the council.
There would be extensive landscaping, green energy measures and car charging points. The design for the homes includes the latest environmental technologies to improve efficiency and cut bills, and the council intends to use modular construction methods to speed delivery.
The project will feature in a Channel 4 TV series presented by George Clarke, to celebrate 100 years of council housing.
A first consultation event has already been held at Newton Heath library, with further events due to take place before the submission of a planning application this summer. It is hoped the first homes will be available for occupation by March 2020.
Cllr Suzanne Richards, executive member for housing and regeneration for Manchester City Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring that Manchester residents have access to high quality, well-designed, affordable housing and are keen to explore the latest techniques that can help deliver that ambition as quickly as possible.
“Local communities are at the heart of this and it is important we consult widely to hear people’s views and deliver the very best for everyone.”
In December 2018, Manchester Council began a long-term review of affordable housing deliver across the city to help meet growing demand. The council predicts 32,000 homes will be built in the city from April 2015 to March 2026, including 6,400 affordable homes to meet the city’s 20% affordable homes ambition.
According to the council, since April 2015, 3,000 affordable homes have either already been delivered or are in the pipeline, with the full quota to be delivered by March 2021, and a further 3,400 affordable homes will be built by March 2025 – at least 1,000 of which will be social rent.
What a shame that the fabulous Newton Heath market is no more.
By Elephant
Yes lets get George Clarke on and whilst we are at it his mate at Grand Designs Kevin who also has a number of failed property ventures to tell us about great architecture with no basic understanding of what a cost plan or viability model is and how it sits together with a deliverable design proposal.
By BDAY
I cant wait to see these houses getting built at Newton heath or is it all talk .
By Linda cheetham542@gmail.com
When is Newton heath programme to be aired
By Sandra
What is the rationale for modular here? It really only makes financial sense when you have a pipeline of suitable projects to make the greater costs worthwhile.
By Mod Mad
As a resident of Newton Heath I watched the tv last night, and thought it seemed to work well in Austria, it was only at the end I realized the proposed site for this was the old market on Church Street. I am excited by this idea and just hope they are true to word and they are really affordable. They should put tenants who really need the homes in at first then offer them a shared ownership or to buy after a period of time. Not as per previous Social Housing Estates that most f the properties are sold.
By hopeful