Planning permission has been approved to develop almost 70 low-carbon social homes in Newton Heath, Manchester.

The project will bring back into use a long-term under-used brownfield site on Silk Road to build 36 one-bedroom apartments; 12 two-bedroom apartments; 17 two storey, three-bedroom houses; and 4 three storey, four-bedroom houses – while 16 of the apartments will be available to people over the age of 55.

Off-road parking will be included as part of the development, along with electric vehicle charging points, and private driveways for the houses.

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Each of the apartments will have a balcony and living walls will provide a green aesthetic to the development, along with shared outdoor green space. They will also be built to HAPPI design principles that ensure larger internal space as standard, which will easily accommodate someone using a wheelchair, along with extra storage space.

The houses will have generous gardens and solar panels, while the apartments will feature living green roofs as part of the project’s low carbon commitment.

This will also include the use of Ground Source Heat Pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep utility costs down for residents.

The homes will be constructed by Rowlinson with a design informed by the history of Newton Heath, celebrating the brickwork that characterises the local area. The homes will be managed by Northwards Housing.

Work is expected to begin on site in the New Year.

The development is being part-funded through the Government's Brownfield Land Fund, which will help deliver 522 new homes on disused land across the city over the next five years.