Hong Kong-based developer Far East Consortium (FEC) has selected Great Places as one of three housing associations to help deliver the first 800 new affordable homes as part of its new 15,000-home Northern Gateway project in Manchester.
Great Places Housing Group, The Guinness Partnership and Trafford Housing Trust, now owned by L&Q, have all been confirmed as preferred partners on the framework to deliver homes on the site over the next 10 years.
The scheme is a joint venture between FEC and Manchester City Council and aims to deliver 15,000 new homes across the North of the city in the next twenty years. The development is divided into phases and neighbourhoods, with the Red Bank neighbourhood first to be progressed. The three associations will assist with the delivery of homes at Red Bank. Adjacent to Manchester’s Victoria Station, Red Bank will see roughly 5,500 homes delivered, alongside infrastructure supported by the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF). Partners will look to deliver 634 affordable homes, with 32 for shared ownership and will be on of the biggest affordable housing projects outside of London.
The decision to pick the three panel members comes after FEC called on housing associations to bid to become one of their partners in September last year.
Commenting on the announcement Matthew Harrison, Chief Executive of Great Places, said:
We’re delighted to have been appointed by FEC to work on this hugely ambitious and exciting development programme that will create superb new places to live and enjoy life in Manchester.
As a long-standing Manchester headquartered housing provider, Great Places has a deep commitment to the city and its people. This opportunity allows us to build on many years working in the City to improve housing opportunities for Mancunians. The chance to be involved in the long-term development of world class integrated residential neighbourhoods fits our social and business model perfectly and we’re very excited to be involved.
