Inside the plan for 600 energy-efficient homes in Manchester

A major new housing development in Manchester will see the construction of 600 energy-efficient homes, in a bid to tackle the city's housing crisis and reduce its carbon footprint.

The £100 million project, which is being led by the Manchester City Council and developer Urban Splash, will see the creation of a new neighborhood on the site of a former industrial estate in the east of the city.

The homes will be built to the highest environmental standards, with features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and energy-efficient appliances. They will also be designed to be affordable, with a mix of social housing, affordable rent, and shared ownership properties.

The development is part of the city council's wider plans to create a more sustainable and inclusive city. Manchester has set a target of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, and the new homes will play a key role in achieving this goal.

The project is also expected to create jobs and boost the local economy. Urban Splash estimates that the development will create around 1,000 jobs during the construction phase, and a further 500 jobs once the homes are completed.

The development has been welcomed by local residents and environmental groups. The Manchester Climate Change Agency said that the project was a "significant step forward" in the city's efforts to tackle climate change.

The first homes in the new development are expected to be completed in 2024.