The first residents have started to move into their new homes in Openshaw, Manchester following the launch of a new affordable housing scheme.
Working closely with developer Westchurch Homes, Jigsaw Homes Group has delivered 71 new homes on Shaw Park Close, off Louisa Street, marking its largest development in Manchester to-date.
The £12m scheme has transformed a former iron foundry into much-needed affordable housing, close to Manchester city centre, while supporting the long-term regeneration of the area.
Part-funded by Homes England, and with funding from GMCA Brownfield Fund, the development includes a combination of one, two, three and four-bedroom houses, apartments and bungalows, with 46 homes for Social Rent and 25 homes available through Rent to Buy.
All homes are allocated by Manchester City Council to help meet local housing need, with priority given to working households and especially those who are rightsizing, those local to the ward and through the main allocations scheme.
One resident Danielle, along with her two children, moved from West Gorton into one of the three-bedroom townhouses a month ago, after being on the housing waiting list for more than three years.
She said: “The house I was living in was no longer suitable for us and we had lots of issues in the area with anti-social behaviour which was so bad my children were scared to leave the house. I grew up in Openshaw village and wanted to stay in the area for the children’s schools.
“I kept bidding and hoping something would come up and I was absolutely over the moon when this was offered to me. I feel so lucky and have so much gratitude for being offered this new home; it really has changed our lives.”
The development has been designed to maximise sustainability and efficiency; featuring air source heat pumps in each property, electric vehicle charging for all parking spaces, and no gas, meaning all homes will achieve a minimum EPC rating of B’. Gas central heating, which keeps an ambient temperature throughout the house; with an average spend of £6 a day.
Residents like Danielle are already seeing the benefits of having an Air Source Heat Pump rather than Jigsaw Homes Group’s Deputy Chief Executive Katie Marshall officially opened the scheme, alongside Councillor Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development at Manchester City Council and Cllr Thomas Frederick Robinson.
They were accompanied by Westchurch Homes’ Post Development Director Brona Lacey and Partnerships Director Oliver Chan, along with senior members of Jigsaw’s development teams and the city council’s strategic development team.
Katie Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive of Jigsaw Homes said: “We are proud to have delivered our largest social rent and rent-to-buy scheme here in Manchester, in partnership with Manchester City Council and Westchurch Homes providing 71 new homes for people in housing need. It’s so good to hear how life-changing these homes are for people – and we are working hard to provide more of them.”
“This is one of three schemes we are completing in 2025 across Manchester, including new homes in Moston, Longsight and here in Openshaw with our three P500 sites due to complete in 2026.”
Oliver Chan, Partnerships Director at Westchurch Homes said: “Working closely with the council and our partners has allowed us to deliver a quality development that not only meets housing need but also enhances the character of the area. Every detail has been considered to ensure these homes are sustainable, energy-efficient, and built to last, creating a place where people can feel truly at home for years to come.”
Councillor Gavin White added: “It’s wonderful to see a brownfield site transformed in this way with a mix of bungalows, apartments and family townhouses which will create another community in this area. It was also great to hear first-hand just how vital developments like these are; giving people high-quality, affordable homes in a sustainable setting, and creating spaces where families can thrive. Projects like this show what can be achieved when we work together to regenerate land and invest in the future of our neighbourhoods.”
