This development of 22 units (Affordable Rent), comprising 14 3 bed Houses and 8 1 bed apartments for Great Places Housing Group, forms part of the Manchester City Council “Project 500” flagship Affordable Housing delivery initiative.

The design proposals more than doubles the previously approved 10 house scheme by working with the site levels to create split section houses (3 storey frontage with elevated first floor rear gardens), with narrow plot frontages and deep floor plans in a semi-detached format, linked by connecting porticos. The stacked “Cottage Apartments” each have their own front door which helps minimise service charges and therefore optimising affordability for residents.

Highly insulated timber frame construction coupled with efficient Air Source Heat Pumps ensures running costs are minimised.

Elevationally, the houses have dormered rooms in the roof that sit above the 2storey eaves line, relating to the 2-storey context, with a limited palette of materials adopted to create a simple and elegant design with uncomplicated detailing.

Client: Great Places Housing Group
Contractor: Terra Nova Developments
Site start: February 2024.