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.
128 new homes in Ancoats have been approved by Manchester’s planning committee / Credit: This City / Buttress
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.
30% of the homes will be made available at the Manchester Living Rent / Credit: This City / Buttress
“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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Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2022 
