L&Q’s deal with a Manchester housing association is a “pilot” to test a model which could allow the London landlord to develop in other cities.

David Montague, chief executive of the 70,000-home organisation, said the deal is a “first small step” in plans to build more homes in growth areas outside L&Q’s traditional London base.

L&Q intends a £160m joint venture with Trafford Housing Trust to build 2,000 homes in Greater Manchester and the North West over four years