BACKGROUND
Salix Homes is a housing association based in Salford, Greater Manchester, owning over 8,000 homes.
Sustainability is a key focus for Salix Homes, and it’s committed to improving the energy efficiency of all its homes and buildings to benefit both its customers and the environment, aiming to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2038.
Salix Homes is building new homes in Salford and beyond and plans to build 300 new homes by 2025, which are high quality and energy efficient.
Its latest flagship scheme is Greenhaus – a highly sustainable development of 96 homes, which is being built on Chapel Street in Salford, an area which is currently undergoing significant investment as part of a wider regeneration project.
The nine-storey development, which is due to complete in March, has been built to Passivhaus Classic certified standard and is the largest Passivhaus certified affordable housing development in the North West.
Passivhaus is the gold standard for energy efficient buildings and construction, creating homes with high thermal comfort and improved air quality. Residents can benefit from a healthier living environment, reduced energy consumption and homes that are cheaper to heat and run.
FUNDING
Greenhaus is being delivered in partnership with the English Cities Fund (ECF) – a joint venture between nationwide placemaker Muse, Legal & General and Homes England, to bring together the public and private sector to transform urban areas. It’s supported by Salford City Council which has provided the land for the development.
Salix Homes is the housing association partner and is financing the project after securing funding with its banking partner NatWest. Grants have also been secured from Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).
Greenhaus is part of ECF’s £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central transformation being delivered in partnership with Salford City Council, and will take the overall percentage of affordable homes delivered by ECF to 25% across the Chapel Street area of the masterplan.
The homes are being built by lead contractor Eric Wright Construction and were designed by architect Buttress.
ACTION
Delivering truly sustainable homes that are also affordable is a challenge, and high-spec homes with the energy saving credentials of Greenhaus are uncommon in the social housing sector.
Greenhaus represents a new era of high quality, sustainable and affordable homes which are better for the environment, support carbon reduction targets, and help reduce fuel poverty for residents.
It’s the first and largest development of its kind in the region, setting the benchmark for new-build, affordable and sustainable homes that are fit-for-the-future.
The one and two-bedroom homes will be available in a mix of tenures including social rent, affordable rent and rent-to-buy, giving more people the opportunity to live in homes in a desirable area, which are sustainable and affordable.
The sustainable features at Greenhaus include triple glazed windows, the latest insulation technology, improved ventilation and airtightness, air source heat pumps and publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points.
While the initial cost of building Passivhaus standard homes might be higher, Salix Homes has considered the long-term savings to be made on repairs and maintenance or complex and expensive retrofit solutions, as well as the financial and health benefits for residents.
