A new housing estate geared towards the orthodox Jewish community could soon be coming to Higher Broughton, Salford. A plot on the corner of Bury New Road and Northumberland Street could be repurposed into a three-storey apartment block and 24 terraced homes for large families, if a planning proposal is approved by the council.
Development details
The application by Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA) and Jewish community charity Delapage Ltd aims to create 'much-needed' new homes 'carefully planned' to support the specific cultural needs of the community.
The development would be built on the leftover foundations of Hanover Court, a 16-storey apartment block demolished as part of a regeneration project in 2006. It includes a low-rise block with five supported living apartments and a community centre, alongside 24 three-storey family homes arranged around shared green space.
Cultural design features
The homes would contain specific cultural alterations such as separate areas for dairy and meat preparation, and gardens designed with annual holidays in mind. The small housing estate would be built in the heart of Salford's Charedi community – the largest Orthodox Jewish community outside of London. It would help address an 'urgent need for affordable homes for larger families with five or more children'.
In a planning statement, AIHA said: "There is an acute shortage of suitable affordable housing in Salford and the wider Manchester area, for the needs of this community. Their members' way of life requires them to live close to each other as a Community, to the extent that many prefer to stay in unsuitable properties rather than to move away from their Community."
"AIHA's mission is to assist the community in providing adequate affordable homes and amenities to address these needs."
Community impact
The designs, put together by Brooks Murray Architects who've designed the homes, feature large family spaces for cultural and religious festivals and in-built sukkahs – a structure used to celebrate the autumn festival of Sukkot.
The architects added: "Ultimately, the proposal is not just about providing housing, but about creating a place where community life can flourish – where families feel at home, relationships are strengthened, and a strong sense of identity and belonging is reinforced."
The development would be sited in an area with 'exceptional transport links' and within walking distance of shops, schools, and religious buildings. The application is classed as a major development and will be considered by a planning committee before the end of November.
