Trafford Council have recently approved plans for another batch of new waterside apartments just down from Pomona Wharf as part of the ever-growing Manchester Waters residential complex.
Situated between the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship Canals, and spearheaded by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters — who have already delivered multiple projects between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays — the firm is set to add 159 new homes to the development.
The sustainable new one, two and three-bed apartments will balance a level of luxury with sustainability, as Peel Waters will also be making a financial contribution equivalent to 20% affordable housing within Trafford and further contributions will be put towards green spaces and schools in the local area.
Now these are the kinds of things we like to hear with new developments.
Continuing to take shape on Pomona Strand between the tram stop of the same name and Cornbrook back towards Castlefield, much of the land is currently unused and overgrown along the Waterways Avenue stretch, so Manchester Waters saw the opportunity to expand with further blocks.
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However, it isn’t just a case of snapping another plot and building up; health, wellness, access to nature and spaces to socialise are said to be at the forefront of Peel’s residential development at Manchester Waters and they hope to knit into the surrounding area rather than take over it.
As per a press release, “a communal rooftop terrace located above the entrance to the site will offer residents exceptional views onto the Manchester Ship Canal and a vibrant and welcoming residents’ courtyard garden will offer extra outdoor space for residents to relax in.”
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Beyond that, the new apartments will also feature a waterside yoga studio and gym, the aforementioned rooftop terrace and ‘sensory’ courtyard garden, as well as sustainable design with solar panels, a heat recovery system, cycle parking spaces for each flat within a secure hub, as well as individual parking spaces with dedicated EV charging points through a residents-only car club.
Peel Waters is also set to add the next sections of two new waterfront pedestrian and cycle routes which will be created along the two canals, providing enhanced connectivity and waterside paths for residents, commuters and the wider community — not to mention all of these existing transport links nearby.
By the looks of things, this particular location within Manchester (designed by local AHR architects) is set to be one of the most connected and accessible when it comes to travelling into the city centre, MediaCity and beyond.
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And, as mentioned, large chunks of Pomona Strand and the surrounding area are currently derelict with no real access for locals to enjoy as an outdoor space, so with much of it having been vacant for the best of 20 years, it’s just good to see the brownfield site being further regenerated with more quality housing.
The official completion date of the development is still yet to be slated but with Peel currently working on multiple apartments and other projects along the canal and around Trafford, we’re excited to see what the waterside will look like over the next few years.
Derelict Manchester office block to become ‘vital’ accommodation for homeless families
Emily Sergeant
A derelict former office block in Manchester is set to become vital accommodation for homeless families in the region.
Manchester City Council has announced that, subject to planning approval, new temporary accommodation for dozens of homeless families will be created on the site of a derelict former office block in south Manchester, off Nell Lane in Chorlton.
The Council acquired the 1.1 acre site last month with the support of the Government’s Local Authority Housing Fund.
The initiative – which is part of wider plans to boost the city’s stock of quality temporary accommodation – will see self-contained two-bedroom accommodation created for around 55 homeless families built where former NHS offices, Mauldeth House, currently stand.
Mauldeth House has been empty for several years now at this point, and had become somewhat of a ‘blight’ on the neighbourhood, attracting anti-social behaviour along the way and being targeted by squatters – but with the plans for the new accommodation, this could change for the better.
The site, and therefore the new accommodation, is said to be ‘ideally located’ for families, as it’s close to shops, schools, public transport, leisure facilities, and Chorlton Park.
The new accommodation will see families supported by a specialist team based on site to help them move on as quickly as possible into permanent settled tenancies, which is, of course, the long-term goal for many.
The Mauldeth House initiative is cited as being one example of the Council’s drive to increase its temporary accommodation stock across the city to reduce the number of out-of-area placements.
Other successful examples of this initiative include Mariana House in Whalley Range, and The Poplars in Rusholme.
It also comes after it was announced last month that homeless children in Greater Manchester, particularly those who are placed in temporary accommodation out of area for their school, will now get free bus travel to and from school.
“Mauldeth House is a great example of how we can put derelict properties to good use to benefit those experiencing homelessness, as well as making our neighbourhood look better,” explained Deputy Council Leader, Cllr Joanna Midgley.
“We are tackling homelessness on many fronts, the most important one being prevention, but we also need an increased supply of good quality temporary accommodation within the city so that if people do become homeless they are not uprooted from their social support networks.
“One of the ways we are doing this is through the innovative use of existing sites whether they are council owned or we are able to acquire them, as in the case of Mauldeth House.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Property
The plans to build 107 new homes in Manchester city centre – including affordable housing
Daisy Jackson
A new community of homes – including affordable housing – is on the way to Manchester city centre.
Fresh new images have been unveiled of Ferrous, a brand-new 107-home rental scheme that will be built in Piccadilly East later this year.
The new development from Capital&Centric will include 15% affordable housing, as well as a new pocket park.
The new scheme is partly thanks to a £1.6m investment from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will see a previously underused brownfield site regenerated.
The site near Manchester Piccadilly was previously owned by Transport for Greater Manchester.
Although the planning consent didn’t require an affordable housing, Capital&Centric has committed to delivering around 15% of the new homes as affordable.
Alongside the pocket park, there’ll be a small kiosk designed as a launchpad for an independent food or drink operator.
Piccadilly East was named by The Sunday Times as one of the UK’s most up-and-coming places to live, thanks to developments like Crusader Mill and Neptune Mill, plus the landmark ‘Jenga’ Leonardo Hotel.
Tom Wilmot, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said: “The GMCA funding is helping unlock new homes on a challenging city centre site while allowing us to deliver affordable homes as part of the scheme.
“We’ve also carved out space for greenery and an independent operator because small pockets of public space make a massive difference. In a post-industrial city you have to go big on planting. Kampus showed that and we want to create a mini version here.”
Construction on Ferrous is expected to start later this year with completion anticipated in 2028.
Danny Jones -
8th March 2024 
