80 new affordable homes in Old Trafford help families and people onto housing ladder
Residents have started to move into 80 new affordable homes opposite Lancashire Cricket Club in Old Trafford.
The £18.2m Southway Housing Trust scheme at Warwick Road South has been developed in partnership with Trafford Council to help families on housing allocation lists.
It is Southway’s largest development of affordable rent and shared ownership homes and has been completed ahead of schedule.
The one and two-bed apartments are split across three buildings with 57 available for affordable rent and 23 for shared ownership at Boundary View to help people onto the housing ladder.
The 62,000 square foot development was granted planning consent by Trafford Council in June 2023 after a joint submission by Victor (Old Trafford) Ltd – a joint venture between Victor at MC Construction, and the McGoff Group – together with Southway.
Funding was provided through Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund and Homes England via the Affordable Homes Programme. McGoff Construction acted as main contractor, using an offsite-fabricated, lightweight steel frame solution, from Panacea Building Solutions, to significantly improve speed of delivery and minimise waste.
The scheme is located next to public transport links and features cycle spaces for all homes, car parking with accessible spaces and electric charging points, and energy efficient heating and hot water.
Residents also have a communal garden, and some homes have balconies with views over Old Trafford and beyond.
Resident Elaine, who has moved in with her 17-year-old son, 
said: “We were homeless due to unforeseen circumstances. I had been living in my friend’s mum’s house for six months when I contacted Trafford council and they put us in temporary accommodation. Trafford Council and Southway Housing Trust have been great with us and it’s a huge relief that we’ve been able to move into this flat.
“I really missed the community feeling I had where I lived before, but the neighbours are all really nice here.”
Resident Chyna is also pleased to move into her new home, she added: “I love my new home as I had been unsettled for the last eight to nine years. I was living in accommodation for homeless young people and when I got the call from Trafford Council to say a flat was available for me here it didn’t feel real.
“Sometimes I still can’t believe this has finally happened for me. I have my home, I can plan for the future and look forward to it with real hope for better times ahead.”
Cllr George Devlin, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Advice, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which is helping house Trafford residents on housing allocation lists. Trafford – like most local authorities - has a huge shortage of affordable homes so I am delighted it has opened. The Council is totally committed to providing more schemes of this nature across the borough.”
Jonathan Turner, Assistant Director of Development at Southway Housing Trust, said: “We’re proud to celebrate our first homes in Trafford which help people buy or rent more affordably with excellent transport networks, local amenities and world-class cultural, sporting, retail and educational facilities all on their doorstep.
“These homes are in great need for many, and we’re pleased to be working with Trafford Council to help families move out of unsuitable temporary housing into some of these homes.”
Andrew Western, MP for Stretford and Urmston said: “I was delighted to see this development from Southway Housing Trust taking shape over the last couple of years. Trafford has a shortage of housing, but in particular a lack of housing available at affordable rent. All 80 properties on this site are either available at affordable rent or for shared ownership, and I know that Southway are already working with Trafford Council to help house families in need.”
Mike Purcell, Development Director, Victor added: “We purchased this site for its sustainable location credentials, lying on brownfield land next to Old Trafford Metrolink station, just outside of the Civic Quarter regeneration zone. It was an ideal spot to revitalise and add true value to the wider area. To see these fully affordable, high-quality homes, which have been built by our JV partners at McGoff Group, has realised this ambition in full.”
Director at the McGoff Group, Chris McGoff, added: “We are delighted to deliver this sustainable development of high-quality affordable homes ahead of schedule and look forward to handing it over to Southway Housing Trust for the benefit of residents in Trafford.”
Take a look inside a shared ownership home at Boundary View here Shared Ownership Apartments, Old Trafford - Warwick Road South | Gecko Homes
