128 new homes in Ancoats have been approved by Manchester’s planning committee in the first of a new council housing development project.
Manchester City Council explains that the green light given to the first phase of the new ‘This City’ development will include 118 apartments across two buildings, alongside 10 townhouses – which will have either three or four bedrooms.
The apartments will be a mix of 27 one-bedroom and 91 two-bedroom homes.
30% of the homes will be made available at the Manchester Living Rent, which is capped at the Government’s Local Housing Allowance rate and is therefore “affordable to residents on housing benefit”, according to the Council.
This will increase the number of homes available to people on lower incomes in the city centre, while the remainder will be available at market rent.
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The development brings back into use a Brownfield site bound by Rodney Street, Jersey Street, Wadeford Close, and Butler Street on the border of Ancoats and Miles Platting.
As well as the homes sitting in a “highly sustainable location” close to the city centre, which give residents the option of walking, cycling, and using public transport to access local services and employment, the town houses will also each include a parking space with electric vehicle charging points, and private gardens to the rear.
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There’ll also be plenty of space for bicycle parking, and the addition of The Mobility Hub – a new concept that the Council says will centralise and reduce the need for onsite car parking, as well as limiting traffic in the wider neighbourhood.
£32 million will be invested in the wider public realm, and a greening scheme will also see Ancoats become a low-carbon sustainable neighbourhood – with a focus on active travel, walking, and cycling routes.
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1,500 homes are expected to be delivered in this area in the coming years as the final phase of the regeneration of Ancoats, the Council confirms.
“It’s great to see the first This City site out of the blocks and delivering the homes that we know Manchester people need,” said Cllr Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council.
“Our intention is to scale up development to at least 500 homes per year and at least 20percent of these will be made available at the Manchester Living Rent – delivering high quality, affordable housing for families on lower incomes.
“This is a really exciting time for Ancoats and the beginning of the completion of a regeneration journey spanning two decades.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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You can now have a private tour of Manchester Christmas Markets
Thomas Melia
Every year, Manchester Christmas Markets hosts its almost two-month long residency on the frosty streets of our lively city, but now you can enjoy the cute huts with an unbeatable luxury experience.
Travel agency, Viator, who are directly connected to TripAdvisor, have launched a one on one guided tour of Manchester and its stunning Manchester Christmas Marketsin all their glory.
This private tour of the festivities occurring in the city will last two hours and for the whole duration of your time, a city host will be on hand to offer undivided attention, catering to your every need.
A makeshift itinerary is already awaiting guests and can be tailored according to the individual taking the tour, everything is catered to your preferences.
Anyone who books onto the tour also receives a complimentary hot chocolate and that’s sweetened the deal for me, I’m sold.
There’s also the chance to keep your hands toasty with a free cup of mulled wine or a soft-drink for those who aren’t interested in the warm alcoholic beverage.
Manchester Christmas Markets are a phenomenal day or night-out regardless so this latest personalised opportunity will take your festive fantasies to a whole new level.
This private tour provides a one-of-a-kind exclusive treatment making your stroll down Manchester Cathedral, Exchange Square and Manchester Town Hall that little bit more special.
These tours are a great chance to immerse yourself in one of Manchester’s many selling points as you can choose to focus your time around art and culture, fashion, architecture or our personal favourite – food.
This exclusive tour package which highlights the best of Manchester Christmas Markets is definitely a present in itself with tickets costing a hefty sum of £100.
If you want to visit Manchester Christmas Markets while also living the high life with a private tour, ‘Christmas In Manchester: Private Experience With A City Host’ is running all the way until the huts shut shop on 22 December and tickets can be found here.
A Christmas train in Wigan has been delivering donated toys galore
Thomas Melia
Yuletide wishes have come true as a donation of toys and goodies have been delivered via a Christmas train in Wigan, right in time for the big day.
The Amazon toy train, which is a new initiative running this festive season, is dropping off presents from now right up until Christmas day itself.
Already visiting Wigan earlier this month, the locomotive has its sites set on three more stops including London, Swansea and Scotland as it makes its journey across three nations.
In partnership with Multibank’s Brick-by-Brick project, the train hopes to provide and offer gifts to families in need across the UK with Wigan marking the closest stop off in Greater Manchester.
Credit: Lee Boswell (supplied)
All the toys that are being transported across the country in this Amazon-fronted train are featured on the company’s ‘Top Ten Toys 2024’ list.
Hatchimals, Screamerz and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza were some of the exciting gifts found on the Christmas train in Wigan at the start of this month.
This lighthearted and fun-filled Christmas-themed project is kitted out with toys from top brands like Play-Doh and the brickmasters themselves, LEGO Star Wars.
So far, Multibank has helped over 400,000 families and provided three million essential items across their operations in England, Scotland and Wales since launching in 2022.
This collaborative local project doesn’t just operate at Christmastime either: Brick-to-Brick Multibank run all year round collecting surplus business requirements like furniture, hot water bottles and hygiene products to be used by those less fortunate.
The Christmas train in Wigan filled with Amazon’s top toys.The Wigan toy train features some well known brands.Credit: Supplied
This roster of children’s favourite companions and interactive games is inspired by the consumers themselves. Every toy is related to or the exact match of what Amazon customers have been searching for the most. A real Christmas list come true.
The list of the top toys isn’t extortionate either, offering customers some affordable and still as fascinating options with prices starting from £9.99.
Even old-school classics like Play-Doh have a spot on this wish list. This poses the really big question: where’s the adult version?
You may have finished your Christmas shopping not too long ago or might still be looking for inspiration, browse the top-ranked teddies and more HERE.