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Council submits plans to turn derelict Manchester leisure centre into ‘affordable homes’
The development will be made up of a mix of 50 one and two-bedroom apartments for the over 55s.
Emily Sergeant -
18th May 2023 
A derelict former leisure centre in Manchester could be transformed under new plans submitted to turn the site into affordable housing.
Manchester City Council has this week confirmed that planning applications have been submitted for the redevelopment of the former Chorlton Leisure Centre as an affordable ‘Later Living’ scheme for local people.
The development will be made up of a mix of 50 one and two-bedroom apartments for the over 55s.
Seven of the apartments will be for sale by shared ownership, three will be neighbourhood apartments that provide ‘step up accommodation’, leaving the remaining 40 apartments to be capped at the Manchester Living Rent – which means they will be priced either at or below the local housing allowance level.
Lettings will be prioritised to over 55s with a housing priority need, which includes those who are keen to ”right-size and free up a social rented family home” in the local area for families on the housing waiting list.
The Council says it wants the development – which is set to see an investment of over £12 million – to have the “flexibility to adapt over time” in order to meet the changing needs of residents, meaning they can move from their existing family home and right-size to a new more suitable home that provides them with “everything they need for years to come”.
Not only will the development include “well-thought-out” communal spaces for residents, but the Council says there’ll also be opportunities to eventually integrate other external features within the community too – such as health services, wellbeing spaces, and different hubs for social interaction and involvement.
As affordable homes to rent in highly sought-after neighbourhoods like Chorlton are much needed at the moment, the Council says it expects homes in the new development to be “in high demand”.
“We know that local people have been eager to see this site brought back into use for some time and it’s great to see the project moving at full steam,” admitted Cllr Gavin White from Manchester City Council.
Read more:
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- Plans submitted to turn ‘challenging’ area of Manchester city centre into ‘vibrant neighbourhood’
- What Manchester’s old Debenhams building could look like inside after £70m transformation
“This is a really exciting development, and we look forward to seeing these homes take shape.”
The development is expected to be completed in the summer of 2025.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
