How an £11m development of 43 ‘affordable rent’ homes’ in Greater Manchester town will look

A new estate of 43 ‘affordable rental homes’ is set to be built south of Bolton town centre. Social landlord Great Places Housing Group has submitted plans for the homes on a site off Belford Drive, Great Lever.

The planned £11m development will consist of six one-bed and four two-bed cottage-style apartments, nine two-bed houses, 12 three-bed and 12 four-bed houses, all available for affordable rent. The proposals will be funded by Great Places along with grant funding from Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) brownfield housing fund.

Great Places said the plans were developed in consultation with Bolton Community Homes. They said the brief was looking to combine high-quality design with low-carbon sustainability and the introduction of extensive planting to mitigate the impact on current biodiversity at the site.

Low carbon features will include air source heat pumps, enhanced air tightness and thermal bridging, as well as enhanced building fabric to improve energy performance. Should the planning application be successful Great Places’ in-house construction company, Terra Nova Developments, will construct the scheme.

Nick Gornall, director of development at Great Places, said: “We’re delighted to have submitted proposals for 43 new homes at the Belford Drive site.

“Our plans will provide a mix of housing types addressing a range of affordable housing needs in Great Lever.

“We have worked closely with our partners Bolton Community Homes to ensure that the design integrates seamlessly into the existing neighbourhood, incorporating low-carbon features. “With support from Homes England and the GMCA’s Brownfield Housing Fund, we’re committed to transforming this complex brownfield site into much-needed high-quality affordable homes that will have a positive impact in the local area.”