We’re delighted to welcome residents to their new homes for social rent in time for Christmas.
Makers Court in Withington has been transformed from a former brownfield site into 24 new one and two-bedroom energy-efficient homes, available at social rent. Residents will also benefit from electric car charging points, solar electricity roof panels, high-quality insulation, and modern heating systems to keep residents’ energy bills low.
Makers Court was built to support our existing tenants to move into smaller homes that better suit their needs while freeing up larger homes for families on the Manchester social housing list.
As a result, 14 people have moved from larger homes into Makers Court. All tenants are from the local area and were selected based on Manchester City Council’s local lettings policy, prioritising those with the greatest housing need.
The development supports Manchester City Council’s Housing Strategy, helping to achieve the city council’s target of 50 per cent of new housing to be either zero carbon or low carbon by 2025.
One resident who has moved from a larger home into Makers Court is Tracey Brooks. Tracey said: “I love my new home, and I’m really pleased I was able to move to a better sized home for my needs. I have arthritis in my knees so I couldn’t live in my house anymore because I struggled with the stairs, and to look after the garden.”
Another new resident is Paula Smith, who previously lived across the road from the new development. Paula said: “My older children have moved out and we had a spare bedroom, so I wanted a smaller home for me and my 12-year-old son. We really like it here and this move has given us a fresh start.”
John Bowker, Chief Executive, said: “I’m very proud that Southway is helping to address Greater Manchester’s housing crisis and these new homes are part of our plan to build 1,300 more homes over the next five years.
“I’m delighted that people can settle into their new homes at Makers Court in time for Christmas and that we’ve been able to help residents find more suitable homes for their needs, freeing up much-needed family homes to benefit even more local people.”
Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington, said: “It’s great to see much-needed affordable housing being built in Withington, and I hope everyone will be happy in their new homes. I’m pleased the homes are energy efficient to help keep residents’ bills down and help the environment.”
Councillor Gavin White, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “We know how welcome new social-rent homes will be in this community, helping to meet high demand. This is a particularly important scheme, bringing back into use un-used brownfield land, while creating opportunities for residents to right size from larger family homes where they may not have use for empty bedrooms, into smaller more manageable homes that better meet their needs.”
The £6 million development received grant funding from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme and Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the Brownfield Funding Scheme. It was designed by Southgate and Sarabia Architects and was built by Manchester-based J Greenwood (Builders) Limited.
