A new secondary school, park, community hub, and over 700 homes are among the plans submitted to transform Newton Heath.
As part of the proposal submitted to Manchester City Council’s planning committee, a 47-acre site that once housed Jackson’s Brickworks, but has since laid empty for around three decades, could soon see a both apartments and houses built on it, as well as parts of the Rochdale Canal opened up.
The variety of homes is said to offer suitable housing for local people with different needs, with a mix rise of two and three-storey homes, and even some four-storey homes alongside the canal.
According to the submitted plans by developers, Your Housing Group (YHG), phase 1 of the development would deliver a 397 new homes, and a proposed community hub building, all before phase 2 looks to offer an additional 35 new homes and the new secondary school.
Developers say the proposed community hub will be open for use by locals for a wide range of different events, including community gatherings and children’s activities, as will the proposed parks, green spaces, and play areas.
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Over 700 homes are among the plans submitted to transform Newton Heath / Credit: YHG
YHG says its proposed plans are centred around “creating a true sense of place and belonging”.
They also add that the proposals – which are already said to have been positively welcomed by councillors and local residents – will “redevelop” an area that has been left vacant for a number of years and subsequently a victim to anti-social behaviour.
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The proposals look to provide the area with “a new lease of life”.
A new secondary school, park, community hub are also planned for the 47-acre site that once housed former Jackson’s Brickworks / Credit: YHG
At the moment, the former Jackson’s Brickworks site is currently contaminated due to its former industrial past.
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Developers say it therefore needs to be “wholly remediated” before any work can begin.
The proposals will go before the Council’s planning committee later in the year, and if they are approved, work could begin in 2024.
Featured Image – YHG
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Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Featured Image – GMP (Family Handout)
News
Former supply teacher jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A former supply teacher has been jailed for multiple upskirting and AI sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester.
Abusali Rahman – a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford – appeared in Bolton Crown Court this week for his sentencing after first being charged with, and then pleading guilty to, several offences.
The offences are including, but not limited to, 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting), three counts of making indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (making AI-generated images), and one count of attempting to meet girl under 16 following sexual grooming.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Twelve girls have been identified in relation to the upskirting offences – aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending – at seven high schools in three Greater Manchester boroughs (Bury, Bolton, and Salford).
GMP says it has remained in close contact with the schools, local authorities, and other partners throughout the investigation to ensure all appropriate support is in place for those who need it.
Additionally, the court also heard how Rahman amassed a collection of images of young girls, using AI and other methods to sexualise them.
The images numbered more than 300 in total, ranging from Category A to Category C classifications, and Rahman would post these on social media, often alongside humiliating and disgusting captions.
Rahman was sentenced to six years in prison, and will also be subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Protection Order.
A former supply teacher has been jailed for child sex offences in schools across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP
Detective Constable Lisa McGaffin, from GMP’s Bolton Child Protection Team, described Rahman’s crimes as ‘absolutely abhorrent’.
“My thoughts throughout this process have always been with the young girls who have been subject to such indignity,” DC McGaffin said following the sentencing this week. “Their welfare and support will always be a priority for us.
“While working as a teacher – someone who young children should trust and be safe with – Rahman repeatedly took secret photos for his own sick gratification, before posting images online which showed his total disregard for the girls’ respect and dignity.
Emily Sergeant -
26th May 2022 
