Work on the first of 3,000 new homes to be built at the Trafford Waters development has begun.

Some 350 properties will soon start to take shape on the Trafford side of the Manchester Ship Canal, next to the Trafford Centre and Trafford Leisure Village.

The affordable homes by housing developer L&Q are the first to be built as part of property giant Peel L&P’s wider Trafford Waters mixed-use sustainable development.

It will create 3,000 new homes, amenity space, a hotel and offices in the area.

The development is expected to create a significant number of jobs and is to include a new primary school plus 20 acres of open spaces for residents, employees and visitors to live, work and socialise in.

Coun Liz Patel Trafford council’s executive member for economy and regeneration, said: “There is a huge shortage of quality affordable homes across Trafford and the rest of the UK and Trafford council is committed to providing more to help tackle the housing crisis. 

“We are pleased to be working with partners on this scheme to provide affordable properties in a key area of the borough.”

L&Q’s new business director Ben Townsend said his company was committed to tackling the housing crisis.

“Over 80 apartments will be built here for ‘rent to buy’, allowing people to pay a discounted rent and save up a deposit to eventually purchase their homes on a shared ownership or outright basis. We’re grateful for the support of Homes England for the provision of grant funding through the Strategic Partnership programme to enable us to do this.”

Peel L&P’s executive director James Whittaker added: “This is a major milestone for Trafford Waters. 

“There, we are creating a new and inclusive, sustainable neighbourhood within Trafford City which offers something for everyone, from new jobs, apprenticeships and places to work; to new green spaces to enjoy and a mix of tenures of homes for all. 

“With new homes being needed more than ever, we are proud that the first phase of homes being delivered at Trafford Waters will be affordable.”