Passivhaus goes large in Greater Manchester

The ‘Greenhaus’ nine-storey development of 96 affordable homes in Chapel Street, Salford, will be the largest Passivhaus social housing scheme in Manchester and the North West of England. The proposal has secured funding from major high street lenders NatWest. PHT Patron Max Fordham is the Passivhaus consultant and PHT Patron WARM is the Passivhaus certifier on the scheme.

Greenhaus Salford. Image credit: Buttress

This is really ambitious. A Passivhaus scheme in Salford that's 100 % affordable. It's the first in Greater Manchester. We are sort of pushing the boundaries on this.

Andrew Cartwright, Strategic Property Manager at Salford Council

Key Stats

No. units: 96 homes
Project stage: Planning permission granted
Start date: January 2022
Completion due: January 2024

Greenhaus Salford. Image credit: Buttress

100% affordable housing

A joint venture between the English Cities Fund (ECF) and Salford housing provider, Salix Homes and part of ECF’s £1bn, 50-acre Salford Central masterplan, the Greenhaus project will take the overall percentage of affordable homes to 25% across the entire scheme.

The ECF fund is a strategic joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England and the scheme is delivered in partnership with Salford Council. Salix Homes has also recently struck a deal with major high street lender NatWest to help finance the Greenhaus development.

Greenhaus Salford. Image credit: Buttress

The Greenhaus development is an innovative housing project that not only creates new, affordable housing as part of Salford’s Masterplan, but homes that have strong eco-credentials. As a bank we are committed to supporting projects that offer green solutions, and we will continue to work with Salix Homes and other partners on future projects that will positively benefit our communities as well as our planet.

Marcos Navarro, Director & Sustainability Lead, NatWest

Key team

Client: The English Cities Fund/ Salix Homes

Architect: Buttress

Passivhaus consultants: Max Fordham

M&E Consultant: Hannan Associates

Planning consultant: DPP Planning

Passivhaus certifier: ZE Passsivhaus

We’re excited to be involved with the Greenhaus Project which is set to be the biggest Passivhaus project yet in Manchester and one of the largest in the UK at 96 dwellings. It is great to see these larger projects coming forwards as Passivhaus gains momentum; helping manage both emissions and energy costs, whilst also delivering outstanding quality housing and comfort for future occupants. As well as having low energy use, the project also supports the transition to low-carbon energy sources, as it is all electric, and includes Solar PV generation.

Gwilym Still, Max Fordham & Sally Godber, WARM