There could be a new park in Manchester if plans submitted yesterday go ahead.
Manchester City Council has proposed creating a new ‘green heart of Ancoats’ as part of the neighbourhood’s regeneration story.
It’s good news for all those who campaigned for the former Central Retail Park to be turned into a green lung, although this particular proposal is a little further away.
The planning submission focuses on three areas, including Ancoats Green, a new public realm on Prussia Street, and Jersey Green.
Ancoats Green will include walking and cycling routes from Poland Street to Butler Street, and from Portugal Street to the Rochdale Canal.
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Lit walkways will improve safety and resident comfort while travelling through the area at night.
The location of Ancoats Green. Credit: Planning documents
The routes will also connect the wider community to the new ‘Ancoats Mobility Hub’, designed to reduce vehicle traffic in Ancoats.
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It’s hoped that the investment into the area will ‘encourage active travel as the natural option to move across the neighbourhood’.
The ‘green transformation’ of Ancoats includes 600 sq metres of new planting, 4800 sq metres of wildflowers, and 748 sq metres of wetland planting.
It also includes a 76% net increase in trees, with any trees removed because of disease replaced by two new trees.
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32% of the new surfaces will be made from reclaimed material, which create permeable sustainable drainage systems.
How the Ancoats Green area looks currently. Credit: Google Maps
The new public spaces will also celebrate Ancoats’ rich glass and bottle manufacturing history, which will be referenced through the design of the entrance ways and street furniture.
Ancoats Green is expected to complete by 2024, with new play areas (including accessible play equipment), open green spaces and generous footpaths.
Granite paving stones from Albert Square – removed during the Town Hall’s renovation – will be re-used here too.
Following that, Jersey Green works will commence in 2025 with improved footpaths and additional seating, and the removal of the Jersey Street Bridge to create a new green corridor.
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Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Ancoats and New Islington is a great place to live, and we want to make the area even better with more and new green spaces, and a play park for children to reflect the growing number of families living there.
“We are committed to creating more and improved green space across the city and provide access to high quality parks close to where people live and work.
“Although this is a challenge in the city centre, this investment is a statement of our intent to deliver green space for our communities – and the proposals for Ancoats join a range of green investment either underway or completed.
“This includes the new Mayfield Park completed last year, Cotton Field Park in New Islington – which will open out to new green space at the former Central Retail Park – and Electric Park, the city’s first zero carbon green campus.
“Longer-term, the Victoria North regeneration programme will deliver 43ha of new interlocking green space from the city centre through to Collyhurst.
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“These are examples of the long-term ambition we have for Manchester to create a greener, cleaner place to live – that celebrates active travel and provides opportunities for our residents to walk and cycle through attractive green neighbourhoods.”
Featured image: Supplied
Property
10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | April 2025
Emily Sergeant
Every month, we show you some of the hottest properties currently on the market in Greater Manchester.
It’s safe to say that Mancunians love a good nosey around other peoples’ houses, and after all, Greater Manchester is a brilliant place to live.
But what can your money currently get you in the area?
In our monthly Hot Property series, we scour the internet to find 10 more of the most diverse, jaw-dropping, accessible, and beautifully-presented homes currently on the market in Greater Manchester for you to take a look at.
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Ashwood Avenue
West Didsbury, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M20
Julian Wadden
Ashwood Avenue / Credit: Julian Wadden
Semi-Detached | x4 Bedrooms | x3 Bathrooms
Situated on a pretty residential street in the highly-sought-after Manchester suburb of West Didsbury, with a wide range of amenities, good local schooling options, and transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, is this light and spacious four-bedroom Edwardian semi that’s been renovated by the current owners to an enviable standard.
As well as being kitted out for modern living, the property is also brimming with original features such as bay windows, high ceilings, and an original tiled fireplace in the living room.
Bi-fold doors lead out from the living kitchen-diner to the large lawned rear garden area, and the house also boasts off-road driveway parking to the front.
Ashwood Avenue / Credit: Julian Wadden
The property is currently on the market with the Disbury branch of independent estate agents, Julian Wadden, for a Guide Price of £790,000.
Occupying an end-terraced position in the heart of the much-loved Bury market town of Ramsbottom, which has an eclectic selection of shops, restaurants, pubs and bars just steps away, as well as good local schools and rolling hills on the doorstep, is this two-bedroom stone cottage which is ready for the new owners to move in and embrace.
Appearing attractive and traditional from the outside, once you step foot inside you’ll see that the property has been lovingly restored and modernised.
As well as the spacious and well-designed accommodations throughout the property, including the living room with characterful features and the two good-sized bedrooms upstairs, the property also has a low-maintenance enclosed rear courtyard to enjoy al fresco dining or a quiet moment outdoors.
Victoria Street / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The property is currently on the market with the Bury branch of local estate agency chain Miller Metcalfe for £230,000.
Not only is this property in one of Rochdale’s most highly-sought-after areas among families, first time buyers, and downsizers alike, but it has also been expertly renovated and modernised to the highest of standards throughout.
This four-bedroom property in the heart of Norden – which is popular for the fact it’s both close to amenities, convenient transport links, and good local schools, as well as access to nature and the neighbouring countryside – has also been extended by the current owners, as well as transformed internally.
Externally, the property benefits from being situated on a generous plot.
Stepping outside is where you’ll find well-maintained garden areas to the front and rear, and two front driveways providing ample off-road parking space.
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Seven Acres Lane / Credit: Cowell Norford
The property is currently on the market with Rochdale-based independent estate agents, Cowell Norford, for £490,000.
Enviably positioned in the heart of Whitley, and sitting on what is comfortably one the best plots in the area, with stunningly-landscaped gardens to the front, side and rear, plus conveniently set back from the road, is this exceptional three-bedroom detached property, which estate agents say would be ‘perfect’ for a growing family in need of more space.
Enjoying a fantastic corner plot on a notably quiet cul-de-sac, the home was bought around 6 / 7 years ago and completely renovated throughout – with a quality of fixtures and fittings that simply must be viewed to be fully appreciated.
The all new windows throughout, fresh plasterwork, redecoration, new floorings, a sleek rear extension, plus the bespoke fitted kitchen, are just some of the clever improvements the current owners have added.
The property also has a large double garage, off-road driveway parking, and lawned gardens to both the front and rear, as well as paved patios to the side and rear.
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Romney Way / Credit: Regan & Hallworth
The property is currently on the market with the Wigan branch of property company Regan & Hallworth for £470,000 (Offers in the Region of).
A picture-perfect property both inside and out, nestled in the heart of the prestigious Hale – probably Greater Manchester’s most affluent, with its own village centre as well as being close to all the amenities, schooling options, and public transport links in Altrincham – is this enormously attractive five-bedroom period semi which has been extend, improved, and comprehensively updated by the current owners.
The property benefits from plenty of period character features, but these manage to blend perfectly with bright, contemporary open-plan spaces throughout – with the three reception rooms, and extensive living kitchen-diner wide folding doors out onto the gardens being some of the most stand-out features.
Standing on a large garden plot, with appealing black and white timbered elevations, you’ll find the property benefits from having a double garage, a substantial driveway for off-road parking, and lawned garden areas to both the front and rear.
Park Road / Credit: Watersons
The property is currently on the market with the Hale branch of independent estate agents, Watersons, for £1,525,000.
A property proudly setting itself apart from the neighbours thanks to its pretty curb appeal and smart driveway to park up on at the end of the day, is this three-bedroom detached family home in the heart of the popular Gee Cross area of Hyde – which not only has Werneth Low Country Park on its doorstep, but also a wide range of convenient amenities, schooling options to choose from, and transport links across the North West.
Just by stepping through the front door and into the impressive hallway of this property, estate agents says you’ll start to feel how special this home really is.
There is a bright and modern kitchen diner, as well as two spacious double bedrooms, potential for a fourth if needed, and even a separate utility area and play room internally, while externally you’ll find sunny lawned garden spaces, and off-road parking for multiple vehicles.
Spring Avenue / Credit: Gee Cross
The property is currently on the market with Hyde-based independent estate agents, Jardine Estates, for £535,000.
Worsley is one of Greater Manchester’s most affluent and sought-after residential areas… and with properties as stunning as this, it’s really not hard to see why.
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This is Spinney End – a distinguished three-bedroom detached farmhouse, dating right back to the 18th century, which estate agents describe as being is ‘as rare as it is remarkable’ given the fact that it has had only two transactions on record in the past 100 years.
Said to be one of the area’s most notable properties, and tucked away behind stately electric gates for privacy and security, the one-of-a-kind Spinney End is set within an exclusive enclave bordering Roe Green and Beesley Green in the most enchanting of landscapes, offering a secluded retreat surrounded by mature woodland.
The house is steeped in history, but despite this, has been thoughtfully restored and reimagined for modern living, making a true hidden gem ready for the new owners to move into.
Lumber Lane / Credit: eXp UK
The property is currently on the market with the North West branch of national estate agency, eXp UK, for £1,395,000.
Stepping through the front door of this attractive four-bedroom detached family home on Southern Crescent in Bramhall – which is arguably Stockport’s most sought-after residential area, especially for families – would perhaps have you thinking it’s a bungalow, but this home is built into a hill, meaning there’s a whole other floor underneath.
Having been lovingly-maintained by the current owners throughout, some of the property’s stand-out features have to be the large open-plan living-kitchen diner, and the four spacious and adaptable bedrooms nestled on the lower ground floor.
Externally, the property has gardens to the front and the rear, and benefits from being not overlooked at the rear and backing onto woodland.
Southern Crescent / Credit: Snapes
The property is currently on the market with Bramhall-based independent estate agents, Snapes, for £845,000.
Offered to the market with no onward chain, meaning it’s ready for the new owners to move straight into and immediately begin putting their own stamp on, is the striking Shorefield House – a charming eight-bedroom detached stone property nestled within its own private grounds in the affluent Bolton village of Egerton, which enjoys close access to countryside as well as all the amenities, excellent schools, and transport links needed.
Estate agents describe the property as being ‘brimming with character and untapped potential.’
This home offers the perfect opportunity for those looking to restore and modernise a truly spacious and traditional estate, combining period charm with the chance to make it your own.
Not only is the property flooded with natural light throughout its flexible living spaces, it also has its own expansive landscaped gardens, a double garage, and plenty of off-road parking for multiple vehicles and visitors.
Shorefield House / Credit: Newton & Co
The property is currently on the market with Bolton-based independent estate agents, Newton & Co, for £1.65 million.
By far one of the most characterful properties currently on the market in Greater Manchester.
This is Top O’Th Meadows – a Grade II-listed four-bedroom detached residence full of history, character and original features overlooking far-reaching views in the popular Oldham residential area of Waterhead, with plenty of amenities, good local schools, and transport links on the doorstep, with access to countryside only a short journey away.
Conveniently offered to the market with no onward chain, meaning it’s ready to move straight into, the property was originally two cottages dating back to the 1700 and 1800’s.
Despite its age though, it has been incredibly well-maintained by the current owners throughout, as well as the gardens and outside space, and for this, estate agents say it ‘simply must be viewed to be appreciated’.
Top O’Th Meadows / Credit: Ryder & Dutton
The property is currently on the market with the Oldham branch of local independent estate agents, Ryder & Dutton, for £800,000.
Co-op Live reveals new canalside development with cafe, bar and merch store
Daisy Jackson
Co-op Live has just revealed plans for a brand new canalside development, with a cafe, bar, kitchen and merchandise store.
With a 600-person capacity, the proposed new space would take shape on the south terrace, immediately adjacent to the venue.
The proposal includes a cafe and bar for residents and visitors, as well as being available for community and private hire use.
The canalside development beside Co-op Live also features a merchandise store.
Initial CGIs show a modern two-storey space with several outdoor terrace areas.
Co-op Live has revealed the plans as part of the ongoing expansion of the Etihad Campus and wider East Manchester area.
The new space has been designed in keeping with the rest of the Co-op Live exterior and could double up as a second stand-alone event space.
Ticket-holders for gigs at the music-first live music arena will have access to the development before shows, further boosting the gig-going experience.
The space will feature dedicated toilets, accessible and baby change areas, and an accessible lift.
Co-op Live has already redeveloped part of East Manchester as part of its build, creating a ‘Citylink’ walking route between the city centre and the Etihad Campus, lined with art installations.
The venue is hosting an open exhibition so that people can discover more about the canalside proposal, before a planning application is submitted to Manchester City Council.
The exhibition will take place on Thursday 10 April – visitors can access the venue’s Co-op Backstage Club through Entrance G from 5pm until 8pm. Head HERE to learn more.
Daisy Jackson -
15th February 2023 
