Work started this week on a £4.2 million 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 will be built on Sherwell Road, Plant Hill Road and Jurby Avenue in Higher Blackley and Benmore Road, Fulwood Avenue and Northwold Drive in Charlestown.

Building will begin on Jurby Avenue for 13 bungalows, with work beginning at all the remaining sites by the beginning of August.

The new homes will be joint funded by the government through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency for England, and from the Council's own resources.

-- Advertisement --

The new generation of high quality, two bedroomed bungalows, designed by architects Bowker Sadler and built by The Cruden Group, are expected to be completed by March 2011.

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 City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, said: "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."

(CD/GK)