Affordable homes will have spectacular views of city

The final brick has been laid in a development of 33 new affordable homes in Old Trafford that will have panoramic views of Manchester, although the scheme will take another eight months to complete. A milestone ‘topping out’ ceremony at the Trafford Gardens site by not-for-profit housing provider Irwell Valley Homes has taken place.

The apartment block will have 29 one and two-bedroom apartments and four two-bed townhouses. A wider development of 149 new homes is also available for private sale. The 33 homes delivered by Irwell Valley, working with construction partner Linear Living, will be available for rent-to-buy – with rents at 80 per cent of the market rate.

They will benefit from green technology including mechanical ventilation and heat recovery systems and have the use of a vibrant communal garden which takes inspiration from the former Botanical Gardens which used to stand nearby. Partners from Trafford council including leader Coun Tom Ross, executive member for economy and regeneration Coun Liz Patel, and chief executive Sara Todd, along with Stretford and Urmston MP Andrew Western, joined Irwell Valley Homes and Linear Living to celebrate the final brick being laid in the block.

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Guests were treated to views across the Manchester skyline, which residents will enjoy once the Irwell Valley Homes apartments are completed next May. Irwell Valley Homes is funding the £7m development through its own private finance arrangements, while Linear Living has received £1.69m from Greater Manchester Combined Authority through its Brownfield Land Fund. The wider development is due for completion in late summer 2025.

Sasha Deepwell, chief executive of Irwell Valley Homes, said: “With a new government and a renewed commitment to delivering the homes people need, this fantastic development at Trafford Gardens highlights how we’re already playing our part. With further funding and investment, we can do more. Rent-to-buy is an important tenure that helps people realise their ambitions of home ownership by providing an affordable interim option. It is a vital stepping stone that empowers people with the means to be able to save up for a deposit, which would otherwise be out of their reach.

“This is a quality development within a prime location, which also has a wealth of future potential as part of the new blueprint for Old Trafford. We’re proud of what we’re achieving here and remain committed to doing more to provide the affordable homes and services people need to live well across Greater Manchester.” Stephen Holmes, of Linear Living, said: “Being part of such a high quality, yet affordable, housing solution in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities is a real landmark for us. Trafford has always been part of the Linear story and was our first location we chose in England.

“This project allows us to showcase our expertise and diverse capability, as well as demonstrate our commitment to providing vital rent-to-buy in the Greater Manchester area on behalf of our forward-looking partners.” Mr Western, said: “It’s wonderful to see such an excellent scheme coming forward and I am grateful to Irwell Valley Homes for bringing such much-needed, affordable homes to this site.

“It was a pleasure to see the building work underway and I look forward to seeing the project finished and new residents move in soon.”