One Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after house prices have increased by nearly 10%.
Every year, leading property listing website, Rightmove, takes a look at all the cities, towns, and residential areas across the UK where house prices saw a significant hike on average last year, and puts together a top 10 list.
The ‘hotspot’ table is made up of a variety of locations where prices rose the most, when compared to the end of the year prior.
Taking the top spot on 2024’s list of property ‘hotspots’ is Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, where the average asking price for a home jumped by 12.5% in 2024, compared with the end of 2023, while the runner up has been named as Bristol’s city centre, with average prices rising by 9%.
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A Greater Manchester town has been named a ‘property hotspot’ after prices jumped nearly 10% last year / Credit: Pexels
Rounding out the top three, however, is the town of Swinton in Salford, with prices also rising by 9%, on average, in 2024 compared to 2023.
Swinton is becoming increasingly popular with first time buyers and families looking for more space and flexibility, while still being close to Manchester city centre, thanks to the several good local schools and community spaces within walking distance.
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Other nearby north west areas in the top 10 for 2024 include Skelmersdale, in Lancashire near the border with Merseyside, and Darwen, also in Lancashire.
Top 10 ‘property hotspots’ for 2024
Sunbury-on-Thames
Bristol city centre
Swinton
Skelmersdale
Gosforth
Swansea
Merthyr Tydfil
Darwen
North Shields
Glenrothes
Overall, the North West was region with the second place highest increase in house prices in 2024 at 3.8%, followed by Wales and beaten only by the North East.
“Despite a slow year for price growth overall, there will always be pockets of Great Britain which perform above the average, and 2024’s list of hotspots is a mixed picture,” commented Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer, Steve Pimblett.
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“Agents tell us that good quality homes in popular areas have continued to attract buyer interest, even in the slower periods of the market since mortgage rates went up.
“We predict that this year will be busier for the market in terms of price increases and sales, particularly if mortgage rates reduce.”
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This is Fusion Manchester’s brand new state-of-the-art student accommodation in Deansgate / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
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Fusion Manchester is nestled in the heart of Deansgate, making it less than a five-minute walk to Deansgate Train Station or tram stop, as well as being in prime proximity to the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University which are both around 20 minutes away on foot – ideal when you’re running late for a class.
It also could not be in a better spot for making plans on the weekends with new friends, as it’s just a stones-throw away from some of the best cafes, restaurants, concert and retail spaces that Manchester has to offer.
The rooms boast incredible panoramic views / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
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Featured Image – Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
Property
Manc architects submit plans to demolish 1970s office block and make way for new residential area
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based architects has submitted promising proposals to demolish an old 1970s-era office block and make way for a brand new residential community in Stockport.
The vision seems fairly ambitious and lofty – pun intended – but the potential outcome could be stunning.
Ollier Smurthwaite (OS) Architects are the local practice behind the new housing plans, which will not only provide nearly 300 new homes but also bring part of the Stopfordian skyline down; it’s not often you hear of things getting lower when so much of Greater Manchester just keeps building up.
Sharing the first proper glimpse at what they hope the redeveloped corner of the busy A6 main road will look like, many have been pleased to see familiar red brick and a traditional feel as opposed to more glass towers.
Writing a lengthy caption alongside the social media post, the OS state, “We are preparing a planning application for the St Christopher’s site in Stockport.
“Located at the prominent junction of Wellington Road South and Longshut Lane, the proposal aims to transform the prominent corner by demolishing the existing 10-storey 1970s office block to make way for a new residential community.
“The proposals are for a modern ‘mansion’ block with taller ceilings, more windows, better communal areas and private gardens.”
It remains to be seen at what price point these apartments will be available for.
Promising a total of 278 ‘new dwellings’, the scheme will crucially see the height of the existing plot lowered to fall in line with other neighbouring properties, as St Christopher’s House currently sits well above the nearby terraces and its metropolitan style does stand out against the surrounding brickwork.
The early reception to the proposed plans looks to be largely positive, too, with one user commenting online, “A very nice looking building with character. More of these please”; another went so far as to add, “These are the sort of modern buildings that will become grade listed.”
It’s also worth showcasing what exactly these blueprints look like when they’re brought to life, such as another development over in Longsight:
Render vs Reality. We recently completed our Daisy Bank scheme in Longsight Manchester for 72 new homes. The scheme takes contextual references from Dalton Ellis Hall & Victoria Park Christian Fellowship in the adjacent conservation area.@createstreets@archi_tradition… pic.twitter.com/DasRUtaylh
Safe to say that seeing what businesses trying to regenerate boroughs actually deliver compared to their initial mock-ups is always useful.
The award-winning firm goes on to add that “the building will be deliberately stepped back from the pavement to create a planted tree-lined avenue”, which will also revolve around a central courtyard and residents’ gardens, with ground-floor flats benefitting from private patios.
CGIs of shared communal roof terraces also give the designs that added modern look, with few other places in the vicinity offering this kind of space. It could be a welcome addition to the region that is already going through plenty of change at the minute.
Another big construction scheme is the one being carried out by Capital and Centric over the new Weir Mill district, which could be transformational for the town centre.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd February 2025 
