The deal will cover 80 acres on six sites with potential for over 1,000 homes to be built over the next five years worth up to £200m.

Barratt Homes Manchester division will shortly be submitting detailed planning applications on two major sites in Wigan and South Liverpool for almost 500 houses.

Additional sites in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and South Yorkshire will follow once technical assessments have been concluded.

Barratt is seeking out joint venture deals as a way of increasing housing developments without being fully exposed to the risks of a fragile economic recovery.

Last month, it linked up with housing association London & Quadrant to build 375 new homes next to Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium.

Louise Morrissey, director of land and planning, Peel Land and Property said: “Our agreement with Barratt Homes represents a new way forward during these times of recovery for markets generally and the housebuilding industry in particular.

“The goal is to bring forward our residential sites and deliver quality new family homes which we know Barratt Homes will do”.

Neil Goodwin, managing director of Barratt Manchester, added: “The Coalition Government’s growth agenda and new planning initiatives will be powerful incentives to drive the very early delivery of new homes on these sites.

“We hope to be selling from the first two sites in time for spring and summer next year”.