Northstone and Great Places Housing Group are celebrating the completion of their first two developments delivered in partnership, Breacla in Lancaster and Abri in Wigan, marking a major milestone in a collaboration built on shared ambitions for quality, sustainability and long-term community impact.
Together, the two schemes highlight how modern design, innovative construction and affordable housing provision can come together to create thriving, future-ready communities that meet the needs of local people.
Located on Scotforth Road, Breacla brings 31 homes providing a mix of Affordable Rent and Shared Ownership tenures to an established residential area of Lancaster, forming part of a wider Northstone development.
The scheme offers a diverse mix of homes, including one-bedroom cottage flats, two- bedroom bungalows and a range of two, three and four-bedroom family houses, ensuring that Breacla caters to a wide spectrum of residents, from individuals and couples to growing families.
A key strength of the development lies in its sustainability credentials. Homes are equipped with solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging provision, supporting lower energy consumption and helping residents transition to more sustainable, affordable lifestyles.
In Pemberton, Wigan, Northstone’s Abri development also represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable, affordable housing. Comprising of 66 homes across a mix of Shared Ownership, Affordable Rent and Social Rent tenures, the scheme provides accessible housing options for a wide range of households.
Every home at Abri achieves a high level of energy performance, with features including air source heat pumps and solar PV panels helping to significantly reduce carbon emissions and household energy costs.
The development also showcases Northstone’s commitment to innovation. Select homes have been constructed using timber frame to explore more environmentally responsible building techniques, while others incorporate battery storage technology to maximise the use of renewable energy providing valuable learning for both organisations.
The homes are part of the ambitious GMCA initiative to deliver net-zero carbon homes. This development aligns with the ‘Truly Affordable Net Zero’ model, showcasing innovative design and cutting-edge technology to create sustainable, energy-efficient living spaces.
Jarod Kelly, Land & Partnerships Manager from Northstone said:
“The completion of both Breacla and Abri represents a significant milestone for Northstone and the start of an exciting partnership with Great Places. These developments demonstrate what can be achieved when shared values are brought to life through thoughtful design, sustainable construction and a genuine focus on the needs of local communities. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to deliver places where people can truly thrive.”
Nick Gornall, Director of Growth at Great Places, added:
“This partnership with Northstone reflects our shared commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes that make a lasting difference to people and communities. Breacla and Abri are excellent examples of what can be achieved through collaboration, combining strong design, sustainability and innovation to create homes that residents can be proud of. We’re pleased to see these first schemes completed and look forward to building on this successful relationship to deliver more much-needed homes across the region.” For more information, visit www.northstone.co.uk and www.greatplaces.org.uk