Derelict buildings make way for new Old Trafford homes

Work has begun to demolish largely derelict buildings to make way for 80 brand new “affordable” and sustainable apartments by Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Greater Manchester.Southway Housing Trust and McGoff Construction Ltd are working to deliver the scheme, which is situated opposite Old Trafford Metrolink station and will be made up of one five-storey and two four-storey apartment blocks.All the homes will be offered on “affordable” tenures to meet the needs of first-time buyers and other qualifying households, says Southway.Karen Mitchell, Southway’s chief executive, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with partners to bring a site which is largely derelict back into use and to be able to provide affordable homes in an area with excellent transport links.“Developing homes in that area within the budget of local people can be really challenging, and we’re delighted we can help meet this need in Trafford’s communities. We will continue to look for more opportunities to work with our partners to provide high quality, sustainable and affordable homes for people in housing need.”Victor (Old Trafford) Ltd, a joint venture between Victor at MC Construction and the McGoff Group, submitted a joint application for the scheme with Southway Housing Trust, which was approved at Trafford Council’s planning committee in June last year.Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has given funding to the project through the Brownfield Housing Fund (BHF) under the government’s Levelling Up programme, and Homes England has provided funding from the Affordable Homes programme.Representatives from Trafford Council including council leaders, Tom Ross, joined senior leaders from Southway Housing, McGoff Group, Victor, Homes England, and GMCA on site to mark this first phase of the development.Councillor James Wright, Trafford Council’s executive member for housing and advice, said: “We are delighted to be partners in this exciting project, which is one of a number we’re embarking on in Trafford as part of our commitment to provide more homes across the borough.“Getting on the housing ladder is becoming an ever-greater challenge in the current climate but this development aims to make that dream achievable. Added to that, by incorporating energy efficient heating and hot water solutions, these new homes will be more affordable to run while aligning with our corporate priority of addressing the climate crisis.”Councillor Ged Cooney, the GMCA’s portfolio lead for housing, said: “The GMCA’s Brownfield Housing Fund is playing an important role, unlocking brownfield land as we work with partners to deliver new housing across Greater Manchester. It’s great to see work begin on another development, one that will provide much-needed affordable, sustainable, and high-quality homes.”Two of the three blocks will provide affordable rent homes. Apartments in the third block will be available for purchase via shared ownership. All the flats will have their own balcony or access to outdoor space and there will be communal gardens for the enjoyment of residents.Electric car charging points and measures including energy efficient heating and hot water systems will help reduce utility costs for the new apartments, the partnership says, as well as enhance the sustainability of the development.Mike Purcell, development director at Victor, said: “We are delighted to see our regeneration ambitions, which began in 2016, progress to an on-site project due to the hard work and perseverance of the various parties involved. We look forward to seeing these quality and truly affordable homes take shape.”Dean Johnston, group managing director at McGoff Construction Services, added: “It’s great to be joined by the other stakeholders on site today to mark the first phase of this exciting and innovative development. We are looking forward to getting the construction process underway and delivering these much-needed quality homes for the Trafford community.”Estimated completion for the scheme is December 2025.Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.