Plans approved for new sustainable neighbourhood in Salford

Plans have been approved for 90 new sustainable homes to be built in Salford next to Islington Mill Arts Club alongside new public spaces.

The plans to build new ‘passive houses’ in Islington’s creative community have been confirmed, with work set to start in January 2025 following Salford’s recent budget announcement to invest £5 billion into new housing.

The new sustainable neighbourhood, which will be built next to Islington Mill Arts Club, will consist of 27 townhouses and 63 one or two-bedroom apartments, alongside new public spaces.

The exciting new development will see two commercial units built from the five warehouses on the existing site that will be used for cultural enterprises.

Passive houses are ultra-low energy buildings that must meet five requirements: high-quality insulation; heat control and robust windows; airtight construction; heat recovery ventilation; and thermal bridge-free design.

These houses require less energy for heating and cooling and, therefore will help contribute towards Salford City Council’s plan to be carbon neutral by 2038.

Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett said: “It is great news that the approval has been given to these 90 affordable homes. This new scheme fits perfectly with our plan to provide more affordable homes for local people and makes use of our brownfield-first approach to building new communities.

“The homes will also be built to the highest energy standards which use much less energy to stay warm in winter and cool in the summer. This helps to reduce the energy bills of the people who live there and has a smaller environmental impact on the planet.”

Salford is home to ‘Energy House,’ based at The University of Salford, a facility which is making leaps and bounds within the field of sustainable housing.

David Farmer, one of the research fellows who works on ‘Energy House’ says that although these houses will have a lower impact on Salford’s carbon footprint: “The Passivhaus Standard requires buildings to be incredibly airtight, so it is important that occupants are aware of how to use and maintain their ventilation system correctly.”

The project has been designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios and construction will begin in January, with the main works package starting in March next year.

ECF, who have previously delivered Greenhaus, the 96 affordable homes on Chapel Street, is currently working on Willohaus, a project that will see 100 new homes on Peru Street.

The company ECF are a placemaking partnership whowork alongside the public sector to create successful communities where people thrive economically, socially and sustainably, and are fully involved in developing the brand new sustainable neighbourhood.

Natalie Kennedy, senior project manager at ECF, said: “Oldfield Basin will bring back into productive use a brownfield site and provide 90 much-needed affordable, low carbon homes.

“The neighbourhood we are creating, alongside a key cultural venue, will be completely unique and strike a chord with people interested in living sustainably in an environment favoured by creatives.”