Irwell Valley Homes’ £50 million regeneration of the Sale West estate in Trafford is transforming homes, outdoor spaces and opportunities for local people.
The project is the largest regeneration of its kind in Greater Manchester for more than a decade. Developed in partnership with the local community, the masterplan responds directly to residents’ priorities while helping to meet urgent housing need in Trafford, where more than 4,000 families are waiting for affordable housing.
The programme includes building up to 263 affordable new homes, investing more than £7 million in existing homes, improving the estate environment and supporting local people through community investment.
Phase one is already delivering 79 new homes for social rent. Phase two will add a further 22 one and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom houses for affordable rent, including 10 ground-floor accessible homes for people with mobility needs. A third phase will deliver nearly 100 more affordable homes across a range of tenures, including social rent and affordable rent, in partnership with Trafford Council.
For families moving into the new homes, the impact has been life-changing. Michelle, a mum of two, had been without a home of her own for 15 years before moving to Sale West.
“After being homeless for 15 years, I still have to pinch myself that we’re here,” she said. “Everything is so different now. I feel secure and happy – it’s our home and I’m looking forward to making lots of happy memories in it.”
The new homes are designed to be cheaper to run and better for the environment, with high-quality insulation, water-saving systems, electric vehicle charging provision and photovoltaic panels. Each will achieve an EPC rating of B.
Alongside new development, Irwell Valley Homes is investing in the 1,100 homes it owns and manages on the estate. The £7 million improvement programme includes new roofs, kitchens, fencing and gates, as well as driveways for some homes. Estate-wide improvements include new roads, pedestrian links, street signs, public realm upgrades and community street plans co-created with residents.
Environmental improvements are also central to the regeneration. With Trafford Council, Irwell Valley Homes secured a £975,000 grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to support biodiversity and green infrastructure. The work includes four new natural play areas, three community outdoor spaces, improvements to Sale West Allotment, resurfaced ginnels, new benches, horticulture projects with local schools and the planting of 270 trees.
Resident Cat said the new play area has already made a difference for local families:
“It’s somewhere safe they can play and great there are some new things to do out there. It’s a great addition to the estate.”
The regeneration is also creating opportunities. Sale West resident Jayden Thompson secured a groundwork apprenticeship with Argyle, the company delivering works on the estate, after taking part in a programme funded by the Irwell Valley Foundation. Other residents have benefited from volunteering, enterprise support and community services through initiatives such as the Sunshine Community Café.
Backed by more than £15.3 million of investment in phase one, including nearly £6.4 million from Homes England, £975,000 from DLUHC and £550,000 from Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Sale West regeneration is delivering much more than new buildings. It is creating better homes, greener spaces and a stronger foundation for the community’s future.
