New £58 million plans to turn one of Manchester’s largest and oldest mills into a development of almost 300 canalside flats and townhouses have now been submitted.
Brunswick Mill on Bradford Road in the heart of Ancoats is a Grade II listed building that dates back to the 1840s and is currently being used by a range of tenants, including textile businesses, a rehearsal space for musicians, and more.
But under these newly-submitted plans, developer Maryland Securities would convert the building into 153 apartments and 124 properties.
There would also be two new-build blocks on adjacent land.
Being a building that boasts a great deal of historical architecture, the proposals – which have been designed by architect Hodder+Partners – will see the central courtyard retained, as well as the trussed ties and vaulted ceilings.
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Brunswick Mill is currently tenanted by textiles businesses, musicians and more / Credit: Hodder+Partners
It is hoped that developing the site will help link together New Islington and the Etihad Campus.
The plans for the project – which is valued at around £58 million – include approximately 20,000 sq ft of workspace and community space on the ground floor of the refurbished mill.
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This is “to help bring activity and vibrancy to Bradford Road”, Maryland says.
A convenient, well-lit and publicly accessible route through the site to the Ashton Canal towpath will also help provide “a revived sense of place”, the developer adds.
A viability assessment for the project has also been lodged, and Maryland has confirmed that its ‘relocation consultants’ have been in contact and have discussed the future of the building with all existing occupiers of the mill, adding that: “This engagement will continue throughout the planning process.”
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The courtyard and some significant architectural features are to be retained / Credit: Hodder+Partners
Speaking on the submission of the plans, Stephen Hodder – Chairman of Hodder+Partners – said: “The main ambition of this scheme is to celebrate the listed Brunswick Mill, which is a key part of Manchester’s industrial heritage.
“The two new buildings for the site are designed to complement the mill and ensure its prominence in the area is not lost in future years.
“We want to create a sustainable and characterful neighbourhood that will enhance the local environment.”
Maryland has said it estimates that the project will create 376 off-site and on-site construction jobs, with the new residents and commercial occupiers creating an annual economic benefit of £25.5 million over the first five years.
The developers also said the new ground floor workspace and community accommodation would also support 155 jobs, which is a 45% increase compared to the current occupation.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Property
Government extends ‘lifeline’ household support fund over winter
Emily Sergeant
Vulnerable households in England are set to receive support for the cost of essentials this winter, the Government has announced.
As summer draws to a close and the autumn and winter months edge closer towards the end of the year, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has this week announced an extension to the Government’s already-successful Household Support Fund for the next six months up until April 2025.
The Government says the £421 million extension “gives certainty” to local Councils and authorities across England over the winter months.
As the cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide, the Government is urging pensioners and anyone struggling with the cost of energy, food, and water over the colder months to contact their local Council to see what support may be available to them.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced an extension to the #HouseholdSupportFund for the next six months
As well as covering the cost of winter essentials, many Councils also use the Household Support Fund beyond emergency support too – including working with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes, and items to improve energy efficiency in the home.
The extension of the Household Support Scheme for a further six months comes after the Government has unfortunately revealed that around 1.3 million more people have fallen into poverty since 2010/11 – with living standards falling by the largest year-on-year drop since records began in 2022/23.
With the new Government continuing with its work to “deliver growth in the long term”, the extension of the Fund will help Councils to prevent vulnerable households from experiencing “an immediate cliff edge” of support with a tough winter ahead.
The Government has announced an extension to the ‘lifeline’ household support fund over the winter / Credit: Pixabay | pxhere
“We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months, because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living,” explained the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall.
“The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago.
“This Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society, and at the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.”
Council Leader @bevcraig has welcomed the extension of a multi-million pound which gives a vital lifeline to thousands Manchester people struggling with the cost of living.
Manchester’s City Council leader, Bev Craig, has welcomed the Fund’s extension.
“While we continue long-term work to address the causes of poverty, there is no doubt that extra short-term help is still urgently needed for those feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis on top of 14 years of austerity,” Cllr Craig commented.
“Today’s announcement will ensure we can give that extra support to those who need it most and we will work with the new government to tackle the long-term root causes.”
Featured Image – Aldi UK
Property
Plans unveiled to turn old Oxford Road HATCH site into new ‘entertainment hub’
Emily Sergeant
Exciting plans have been unveiled to create a brand-new “entertainment hub” in the heart of Manchester city centre.
One of the UK’s fastest-growing leisure chains, STACK – which already has several similar successful sites across the country in places such as Newcastle and Sunderland – has announced that it has now taken control of the former HATCH site beneath the flyover on Oxford Road, and will be transforming the space into a “dynamic blend” of street food, bars, and live entertainment.
The proposed new venture, which will be called STACK Manchester, has been designed with a gateway arch entrance from Oxford Road, leading to an expansive open plaza surrounded by street food vendors and bars.
Forming a permanent feature of the Oxford Road Corridor if approved, STACK Manchester will be housed in repurposed shipping containers, and arranged over two levels.
Developers say the design of the new site will incorporate “ample” glazing and pavement seating to create a “lively frontage that connects seamlessly with the street”.
Central to the development is a large stage, which will be a focal point for daily live entertainment that ranges from family-friendly events and quiz nights, to mass sing-alongs and dog shows, and in addition to this, there’ll also be two new outward-facing retail units and a dual-aspect coffee shop.
Former traders from HATCH are encouraged to apply for a place in the new STACK Manchester, and will be given priority during the selection process.
Speaking as the plans for the new development were unveiled this week, Neill Winch, who is the CEO of STACK, commented: “We believe this site is the perfect fit for our concept, and we’re excited to bring our blend of street food, bars, and live entertainment to Manchester.
“Subject to planning approval being granted, we are confident STACK Manchester will become a much-loved venue for local residents as well as a successful visitor attraction.”