First high-performing affordable homes in a generation

Manchester has marked a major milestone in housing delivery with the completion of the city’s first new council homes in nearly two generations. Located in Newton Heath, on the banks of the Rochdale Canal, the development represents a new era of affordable and sustainable housing.

For the first time, Manchester City Council has built brand-new zero-carbon, affordable council homes. The development includes both family houses and accessible apartments, designed to be not only affordable but also highly energy efficient.

Using modern methods of construction and a super-insulated building fabric, the homes retain warmth and drastically reduce energy loss. Rooftop solar panels and more than three miles of underground boreholes linked to a ground-source heat pump provide renewable heating and cooling all year round. This means warm homes in winter, cooler living spaces in summer, and most importantly, lower running costs for residents.

The result is a scheme that is good for the planet and good for local families. By cutting fuel bills, households can spend their money where it matters most, while contributing to the city’s ambition to create greener, fairer communities.