Accelerating housing delivery in the right way

The UK’s housing shortage is one of the biggest economic and social challenges the country faces. To achieve the housing delivery we need to see, each region and local authority has an important role to play.

Greater Manchester has a commitment to drive forward growth and increase housing supply by delivering 75,000 new homes in the current Parliament.

Housing delivery is fundamental to growth; it not only provides safe, stable, and secure places for people to live but also lowers benefit costs, improves health, reduces homelessness, and supports job creation. Good quality housing is essential to realising inclusive economic growth.

To have a real impact and make a positive difference in people’s lives, housing must be delivered in the right way. The appropriate sense of urgency must be balanced with a continued need to prioritise placemaking as well as quality, affordability, sustainability, community and a long-term strategic vision.

By taking a placemaking approach, we can breathe new life into existing towns, create sustainable communities, and ensure people are connected to the opportunities and amenities they need to thrive.

At Muse, our long-term partnership approach underpins our placemaking pedigree. Working together with the public and private sector we can target and shape regeneration and housing delivery.

We can use our skills and resources to take the strain and deliver based on trusting and long-term relationships.

This strategy has enabled us to accelerate housing delivery across Greater Manchester as part of regeneration which is focused on creating beautiful, liveable and sustainable places.

We’ve always believed that successful places need to fulfil a variety of needs, for all sorts of people.

Over the years this has been the basis of our approach to delivering regeneration at scale and is the key to creating diverse, adaptable and inclusive communities. Salford Central, for example, has a prime location neighbouring Manchester City Centre’s Spinningfields neighbourhood but was an under-utilised space.

Our work around Salford Central with ECF – a partnership between Muse, Homes England, Legal & General, and Salford City Council has delivered over 1,000 mixed-tenure homes that sit alongside a community of world-class workspaces for businesses. By balancing a range of uses, we have been able to create a vibrant community that brings together residents, workers and visitors in one location.

We’ve created a diverse environment that has helped power the recent growth of Salford’s economy, with long-term employment opportunities and more quality places for people to live within the city centre.

Across the 50-acre site, we have delivered townhouses, build-to-rent, apartments for sale, and affordable homes. This mix has been vital to creating an inclusive, diverse neighbourhood.

Truly affordable homes

The delivery of high levels of affordable housing is very important for us. We’ve been highly responsive to the needs and demands of our local authority partners and the communities in which we operate.

In Greater Manchester, we have looked to deliver homes which are high-quality, sustainable and truly affordable.

At Greenhaus, we have worked together with the Salford housing association, Salix Homes, to deliver against this mission while setting a new benchmark for what can be achieved through collaboration and innovation.

Greenhaus has delivered 96 one and two-bedroom apartments that are built to a Passivhaus classic certified standard, the leading low-energy design standard. It is the largest collection of such homes in the North West of England – creating a new benchmark for what is possible in the region.

These homes use between 70-90% less energy than traditional housing, helping residents to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprint. We also ensured publicly accessible electric vehicle charging spaces were included, to serve the wider neighbourhood and promote low-carbon transport.

The impact of Greenhaus is clear. For many, moving into a Greenhaus home has been life-changing – they are living in homes that are energy-efficient, comfortable, and most importantly, affordable. Residents have told us how quiet and comfortable their homes are, creating a vital foundation to thrive individually and as a community.

This new neighbourhood is also symbolic of a belief that good affordable housing is the foundation for a happier, healthier more cohesive community. Salix Homes and ECF have given people a platform to build thriving lives, starting from the most important place – the home.

The lessons and approach of Greenhaus are being taken forward as part of the Crescent Salford masterplan – where we are currently building a further 100 affordable, Passivhaus-certified homes at Willohaus.

Breathing new life into places

We can also use housing as a catalyst to breathe new life into existing towns and communities. This requires a place-based approach and understanding of the individual needs of a community.

Partnerships are once again key to this. Working side by side with local authorities we think of places holistically; considering existing assets and strengths as well as what would improve the area.

In Oldham, we’re helping to reimagine the town centre in partnership with Oldham Council. We’re not only providing 2,000 new mixed-tenure homes but delivering a brighter, safer and more sustainable future for the town.

Our vision will revitalise the town centre with a characterful neighbourhood that prioritises sustainability, and community, making the most of Oldham’s heritage and charm. We know that we cannot let the existing housing market in Oldham dictate what we will deliver. We must change the market and can do this by delivering up to 2,000 new quality, low-energy homes, bringing life back to Oldham’s core, replacing lost footfall and creating a catalyst for business growth and job creation.

New green and public spaces will also make the town more liveable, and attractive as a place to call home. At the heart of our vision is a collaboration with the local community.

Successful urban renewal requires deep local knowledge and broad community support which is why we have partnered with a range of local networks, from the local authority to the youth council. By seeking insights from the people who know a place best, we can ensure that our plans meet the needs of Oldham’s diverse communities.

The involvement of local businesses, community organisations, and residents at every stage of the process will create a sense of shared ownership and commitment to the town’s future. It’s an approach we’re continuing to take with our work in Wythenshawe and at Stockport 8, to ensure that new neighbourhoods serve existing residents and carry a sense of pride.

Find out more about Muse and our commitment to building sustainable, high-quality places.

Learn more about how Greater Manchester is prioritising the right kind of regeneration at UKREiiF by visiting our stand, The Canary.