Tameside makes bold moves to unlock land for affordable and social housing

A bold new plan has been unveiled in Tameside to make housing more affordable for local people.

A proposal set to go before the Council’s Executive Cabinet next week would help unlock Council-owned land to build up to 485 new social and affordable homes for Tameside’s families, first-time buyers, and older residents.

Many residents struggle to find homes they can afford, and a recent Housing Needs Assessment supported the known fact that more affordable and social

housing is urgently needed across the borough.

This plan will help meet that need and reduce homelessness by:

• Using Council-owned land that is no longer needed for other purposes.
• Working with trusted housing providers to build homes quickly.
• Making sure homes match local needs – including family homes, apartments, and supported housing.
• Using £273,000 from developer contributions to help fund affordable housing.

If approved, this approach will potentially pave the way for up to 485 new homes across four initial sites in the borough with potentially more in the pipeline.

Councillor Andrew McLaren, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth, Housing and Homelessness, said: “This is about being ambitious and taking control of our housing future. By using our own land and working in partnership, we can deliver more than just the required percentage of affordable and social homes local people need and reduce homelessness across Tameside.”

If the Cabinet approves the approach, Council Officers will begin detailed engagement with Registered Housing Provider partners and legal reviews immediately, with site disposals expected to commence in early 2026.