Work to begin on 177 low-energy homes in Salford

Work is set to begin on a new low-energy housing development in Salford as part of the council’s largest social housing project in 50 years.The designs for the new Longshaw Drive housing development in Little Hulton were given the green light at last month, and the approval means work on 177 new sustainable homes can now begin.The homes are to be built to low-energy standards and will be located on a vacant site previously populated by the former buildings of Hulton High/Little Hulton Community School, which were removed in 2009.Pozzoni Architecture has been involved in the design of the site and its new buildings, with “careful consideration” given to the existing residential surroundings.There will be one main entrance for vehicles with pedestrian routes and cycle access incorporated. The new affordable homes will be available with a range of options for occupants including social and affordable rent, home ownership, and private-rented accommodation.There will be no visible differentiation between tenure types and each home will make efficient use of available space, with existing site levels and topography taken into account to form an integrated and logical arrangement of new streets.The development will feature a wide variety of housing styles, including a number of wheelchair adapted properties amongst a choice of two-bedroom terraces, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached houses, a five-bed detached house, plus three blocks of three-storey apartments.Longshaw Drive is one of the first and the largest sites to be developed under Salford City Council’s new social housing plan, with other nearby housing developments to include Clifton Green, Pendlebury, Brassington Avenue, and Ryall Avenue.The scheme is being project managed by Identity Consult, with Curtin’s as the lead transport consultancy, civil, and structural engineers.