Delivery of new green council homes

Since 2010, we have built around 500 new homes for rent across the borough. Our projects are a range of general needs homes, older people’s housing and specialist supported housing schemes.

We are guided by the principles of our Deal 2030 with the aim to provide a 'Home for All'. We are committed to building new homes which meet the needs of our residents, creating a variety of homes across the borough that will cater for future generations and for our growing numbers of older people.

We want our new homes to support the health and wellbeing of residents, to create local economic benefits and to contribute to our climate change commitments.

Our homes

Many of our homes are built with additional features to enable residents with additional support needs to remain independent for longer. All of our new homes are built to a high specification, are energy efficient and affordable to run.

In the last two years we have built 156 new homes and have plans to invest £54m over the next three years in 400 new council homes.

Our recent general needs schemes include:

• Crossley Close, Hindley - 60 family houses and bungalows, completed 2019
• 1 Etherstone Street, Leigh - 12 apartments for older households, completed 2020. This block has been designed to accessibility and dementia friendly standards. It features lift access to all floors and modern spacious apartments with an open plan kitchen and wet room.

Our recent specialist and supported schemes include:

• Hyndelle Lodge, Hindley - 12 unit autism scheme, 14 independent living apartments, 7 bungalows, completed 2020. The development creates a mixed community which accommodates both residents who are able to live independently and residents with a range of autism and learning disabilities requiring on-site care and support
• Ullswater Avenue, Golborne - 17 x 2 bed older persons bungalows, 2 x 4 bed disabled bungalows and Marigold Lodge a 12 unit autism scheme, completed 2020. Marigold Lodge features both private and communal spaces, including a sensory garden, activity lounge and sensory room for residents use.
• 29 Bevington Street, Bryn - 20 Extra Care apartments for older residents, completed 2021. The scheme replaces the former Walkden House sheltered block with modern accessible accommodation. It features bright and spacious apartments with communal facilities and on-site support staff.

A green revolution

We recognise the impact of energy use in our homes on the environment and we are committed to achieving a revolution in low carbon homes.

We aim to develop on previously developed land and build our homes in sustainable locations, close to local amenities to reduce travel. We adopt a 'fabric first' approach to design, with high levels of insulation included to reduce energy demand.

We are currently working towards the target of net zero carbon new build homes in our programme by 2028. We are removing gas heating and hot water systems in new homes and piloting low carbon technologies in our new build programme, these technologies have the capacity to become net zero in future as the technology and cost improves.

Low carbon technology adopted includes:

• Ground source heat pumps
• Air source heat pumps
• Photovoltaic solar panels
• Electric vehicle charging points.

Upcoming green developments

Developments that will feature low carbon technology include:

• Longridge Avenue / Almond Brook Road, Standish - 12 one bedroom apartments for older households, due for completion December 2021. Features include a high level of insulation, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points
• Wharfdale, Leigh - 56 unit extra care scheme, due to complete in December 2022. Features include a high level of insulation, ground source heat pumps
• Sandalwood Drive, Beech Hill - 51 unit extra care scheme and 18 bungalows, due to complete in January 2023. Features include a high level of insulation, ground source heat pumps, solar PV and electric vehicle charging points
• Railway Arches, Leigh - 40 general needs apartments, due to complete in summer 2022. The block will include all electric heating with solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging points
• Pemberton Primary Playing Field - planning approval is currently awaited for a new development at the site for a 9 unit supported housing scheme and a mix of bungalows and family houses. The proposal is to adopt air source heat pumps, solar PV, along with a highly insulated building specification.