Manchester Labour

Work starts this week on a £4.2m project to build 32 new council homes in north Manchester, the first in the city in more than 20 years.

The new homes in Charlestown and Higher Blackley, are specially designed purpose built bungalows for older residents and will help support the regeneration of the area as a whole.

They are specifically designed for older residents (60 plus), with two adapted for residents with special needs, and will include a number of innovative and energy efficient features including sustainable timber frames, rainwater harvesting, solar panels on the roofs, wheelchair access and easy upkeep features such as low maintenance floor and wall finishes.

Each home will be highly insulated and operate a heat recovery ventilation system as well as using sun pipe technology to naturally light the central hallway.

The bungalow designs will also receive police approval for their security measures and will meet high environmental standards earning a four star rating under the government code that aims to reduce carbon emissions and create homes that are more sustainable.

Manchester Labour Leader, Sir Richard Leese, says: “This is great news for Manchester and is the first time in more than 20 years that we have built new council homes for our residents. These bungalows really are a new generation of council homes that will set the standard for future designs. It is part of a wider programme of transformation and investment across north Manchester that includes the provision of quality housing and benefits that will have a lasting impact for the whole community ensuring it is a popular place to live.”

The new generation of council homes are part of a wider Manchester City Council led regeneration programme in north Manchester that includes the development of more than 400 family homes in Moston and Harpurhey, the £9.4m refurbishment of a tower block for older people in Charlestown and successes such as North City and Cheetham shopping centres, The Manchester College sixth form in Harpurhey, Manchester Fort retail park and Central Business Park and the refurbishment or rebuild of every high school in the area.