Developers Peel L&P have unveiled early proposals for an eventual £1 billion redevelopment of Pomona Island in Trafford.
Following a period of public consultation, the revamped masterplan – which is said to cover almost 25 acres of currently-underdeveloped Brownfield land – would transform around 60% of the masterplan area for public usage, as well as open space to help “promote active lifestyles and the natural beauty of the waterfront site” – which is surrounded by both the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal.
The plans feature around 2,700 homes – including apartments and townhouses – as well as a leisure and commercial space, which would be built on the remaining land.
Plans were also submitted for a 162-home private rent scheme at Pomona Wharf last week.
On top of the residential redevelopments, Peel L&P has also said that there’ll be a network of new footpaths and cycleways that would help to connect the site, with easy access to Metrolink stops at Pomona Island and Cornbrook interchange located at the site too, which would help to promote “sustainable travel”.
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Peel L&P said the 15-year proposals follow the original 2020 masterplan, which was then agreed by Trafford Council.
They also “form the basis” of an outline planning application to be submitted in spring 2022.
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But, the crown jewel of the plans and what is sure to be the most intriguing element for local residents, is that the regeneration would be centred around a 5.2-acre waterfront park and new public access to a mile-long stretch of waterfront.
Developers Peel L&P have unveiled early proposals for an eventual £1 billion redevelopment of Pomona Island in Trafford / Credit: Peel L&P
Ideas for re-using land under the railway arches also form part of the proposals, and include plans to create outdoor sports facilities and play areas.
A range of public consultation events on the plans is expected early next year.
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“Nestled between two famous canals, Manchester Waters has one of the most unique locations out of any our Peel Waters regenerations schemes,” explained James Whittaker, Executive Director for Development at Peel L&P.
“We’ve taken that into careful consideration to develop a green vision for the site which will go to public consultation early next year.
“This vision has nature at its heart by improving public access to the beautiful canals with a new park and open spaces bringing many health and wellbeing benefits to residents, commuters and families.
“The masterplan also supports Trafford Council’s wider housing strategy and its excellent connectivity to Manchester, Trafford and Salford brings many exciting opportunities to create a really special place for a thriving new waterfront community with access to new and improved sustainable travel routes.”
Cllr James Wright – Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration – added: “This exciting masterplan supports a number of our commitments including the building of more homes and developing a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly future for our communities.”
Featured Image – Peel L&P
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Rare picture of David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport unearthed
Danny Jones
A rare picture taken from the night of the late, great David Bowie’s legendary one-off gig in Stockport has been unearthed by a local whilst digging through his loft.
Imagine having that kind of history just squirrelled away in an attic…
As revealed by Stockport Music Story, after being supplied with the image by David Maynard, the snap was shared more than half a century on from the much-mythologised moment in Greater Manchester music history.
In fact, it was put on display and posted on social media quite literally 56 years to the day since Bowie played his only Stopfordian set on 27 April, 1970.
Maynard himself is featured in the newly discovered photograph (second from the left) and was one of the select and lucky few who were in the room for that very special show.
Organised by a group of teens on behalf of the Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union, the performance took place at the long-gone Poco a Poco music venue and club over in Heaton Chapel.
The storied space hosted many big names over the years – Gerry Marsden, Freddie Starr, Hank Marvin and more – but sadly closed in May of 1987 following a fire.
It went on to become the popular Hinds Head pub, which still serves punters to this day, but once had the honour of hosting a true artistic great and British icon.
For anyone wondering, this is indeed the same night on which David Robert Jones (yes, that’s Bowie‘s full birth name) missed his train home and had to sleep on the railway platform.
Here’s a BBC segment covering the tale back on its 55th anniversary in April 2025.
It may be a small and somewhat curious claim to fame, but native love the legend of it all nonetheless.
As for the other individuals pictured alongside him, Stockport Music Story (SMS) said: “The names of the people we know are David Maynard (2nd left), Roz Wood (3rd left), David Bowie, Bill Frost (2nd right), Stewart Rigby (right).”
They go on to add: “It would be amazing to find out who the other people in the photograph are and what they remember from that night.” We sincerely hope they do.
You can now see the plaque up close and personal at Stockport Station for yourselves and as for SMS’s growing archive of the region’s creative culture, you can find out tonnes more about other pieces of SK heritage right HERE.
Featured Images — David Maynard via Stockport Music Story/Stockport Council
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Huge literary festival returns to Greater Manchester this summer with dozens of FREE events
Emily Sergeant
A huge literary festival with dozens of free events is returning to libraries across Greater Manchester this summer.
Festival of Libraries, the county-wide celebration of all 133 libraries throughout Greater Manchester, is back by popular demand this summer, and organisers have now announced a programme filled with free family-friendly events – with everything from games and performances, to exhibitions, workshops, and arts and crafts on the lineup.
With events running in libraries across all 10 boroughs, this year’s festival will kick off during May half term first, before officially returning from Wednesday 10 – Sunday 14 June.
During the May half term (25-31 May), festival favourite Look for a Book, the much-loved children’s book trail, returns across Greater Manchester, celebrating the release of Put Your Records On – the first picture book from musical artist Corinne Bailey Rae, inspired by her hit song of the same name.
A huge literary festival is coming to Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: Supplied
Put Your Records On follows a young protagonist, Bea, discovering her great aunt’s record collection, and it’s said to be a ‘celebration’ of music’s therapeutic power and intergenerational bonds.
500 copies of Put Your Records On will be hidden across the city region, along with clues and riddles to solve, and lucky winners will even have the chance to meet Corrine herself during the festival too.
Then, when the festival properly kicks off a few days later, interactive workshops and events hosted by Festival of Libraries will welcome families to explore the different ways of engaging with the region’s libraries.
Children can immerse themselves in the world of comic book creation and take inspiration from leading UK comic artists in ‘Comic Creativity Galore’, tap into their tastebuds with ‘Tasting Children’s Literature’, exploring the foods that come to life in beloved works of children’s literature, or take part in the ‘See Myself in Books’ events, which will champion diverse and inclusive children’s books.
‘Transition Reads’ and ‘Storytelling and Moving Image’ workshops from SNE Studios will offer interactive guidance on the shift from primary to secondary school, and they’ll take place alongside a wide range of other activities.
Ultimately, Festival of Libraries 2026 is aiming to explore the county’s rich literary heritage through exhibitions and workshops – and you can be a part of it.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd December 2021 
