Newall Green Farm in Manchester is a development with a great deal of history. The site – a 400-year old Grade II listed farm building, with two large outbuildings – had suffered in recent years, due to neglect, vandalism and in 2014, a devastating arson attack.   

The property was in a sorry state, desperately requiring attention and for the local area it had become somewhat of an eyesore. To give the site a chance to shine once again, work needed to be undertaken to provide it with a new purpose. 

Working in partnership with Manchester City Council, Rowlinson Construction and Zeno Care, we set out to save the property and create something new in the process – to ensure Newall Green Farm could rise from the ashes. The vision was to build wonderful ‘whole life’ homes for the most vulnerable people in our society, placing the good of the tenants and the needs of the local authority at the forefront of the design. 

Care at Newell Green Farm is being provided by Zeno Care, who care for people with complex needs within the autism spectrum, and the nominations agreement is with the local authority for 25 years.  

Situated in an excellent location, close to the M56 and M60 motorways, Newall Green Farm is a very rewarding project for us and one we are delighted to have been involved with. This project has brought a disused site back to life, has given it a new purpose while maintaining its unique history, and has provided beautiful homes to vulnerable members of society.  

Following 12 months of detailed local authority negotiations, work began on the resurrection and repurposing of Newall Green Farm. The site was to be given a complete overhaul, renovating the large outbuildings to the highest order and ensuring they could meet all modern standards of living.  

Despite the neglect and the subsequent vandalism, there were many interesting elements to Newall Green Farm, and we wanted to bring these out where possible. Original oak beams, flagstones and cobbled paviours were all to be restored, before the team set to work on the new elements of the build. 

Newall Green Farm was to be built to robust standards, with high specifications throughout. Bathrooms, kitchens and flooring were all installed, with each new addition showcasing excellent finishes, and every detail had to be considered to make this site the perfect home for the people set to live here.  

The refurbishment was challenging, but everyone involved in this project was determined to achieve the best results possible.