If you’re looking to invest in some of the country’s most energy-efficient homes, look no further than Salford. It’s the greenest place in England and Wales.
The once heavily industrial city of Salford in Greater Manchester is arguably one of the most vastly improved areas in the north-west. Investment around the Salford Quays district in particular has transformed the area, and it has now gained a reputation as a thriving hotspot for businesses and residents alike.
Now the city has a new string to add to its bow. In the latest Centre For Thriving Places Index 2020, Salford achieved the highest score for sustainability across England and Wales.
Why is Salford so green?
According to the research, new-build properties in Salford are among the most energy-efficient in the country. It also has a strong track record for the amount of green space that exists there compared to other cities. CO2 emissions are below average, and recycling levels are a strong point. All of these factors have contributed to it being named the greenest place to live.
Liz Zeidler, chief executive of the Centre for Thriving Places, said: “There have been a lot of innovative things going on in the north-west in terms of participatory democracy, community wealth-building and the environment.
“Places such as Salford seem to be quite cleverly absorbing these ideas. Its leaders have been willing to try something new and now they are starting to see the results.”
Labour mayor Paul Dennett, who runs Salford council, added: “Our carbon management programme was put in place in 2009 and has helped to save 14,000 tonnes of CO2. And 60% of Salford is now green space.”
Eco-friendly credentials are becoming a top priority
Across the world, more people than ever are placing higher importance on being “green“. The information from the Centre For Thriving Places could therefore be helpful as a key indicator for up-and-coming areas.
Due to the recent increase in awareness around climate change, people are more keen than every to reduce their carbon footprint. For many, travelling less, using less plastic and even becoming vegetarian have all become popular lifestyle changes. Across numerous industries, energy efficiency is now of greater importance than ever.
One of the biggest polluters in the country as residential property. Therefore, energy-efficient housing and even zero-carbon homes are growing in popularity. People want homes with modern boilers and appliances, better insulation and smart home options. The modes of transport people choose to use is also changing, and new infrastructure in towns and cities is catering to this. Electric vehicles are becoming more common, and access to pedestrian and cycling routes are of growing importance.
Salford as a key property investment location
For people wanting to live in an area with top employment prospects, ample new properties and a buzzing social scene, Salford is a popular choice. It is also close enough to Manchester to be able to take advantage of what’s on offer there, too. The city’s new accolade as the country’s greenest area will be another reason for property-buyers to look at Salford.
As a property investment location, for both homeowners and investors, it ranks among the top areas in the north-west. While it has already seen huge growth in the past decade, more is in the pipeline, meaning strong capital appreciation prospects.
The population of Salford has grown by a huge 32,000 people over the past 10 years, according to the ONS. This is forecast to rise another 11% by 2037, meaning a greater demand for more homes and rental properties. Further to this, the council expects 40,000 new jobs will come to the area over the next 25 years. As new-build developments with excellent green credentials continue to be built to meet this demand, it is likely to remain a top spot for investment.
The team at BuyAssociation has a lot of knowledge and experience of working with property investments in Salford and Manchester. To find out about our latest opportunities, get in touch or sign up for free access.
