Trafford Council have recently approved plans for another batch of new waterside apartments just down from Pomona Wharf as part of the ever-growing Manchester Waters residential complex.
Situated between the Bridgewater and Manchester Ship Canals, and spearheaded by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters — who have already delivered multiple projects between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays — the firm is set to add 159 new homes to the development.
The sustainable new one, two and three-bed apartments will balance a level of luxury with sustainability, as Peel Waters will also be making a financial contribution equivalent to 20% affordable housing within Trafford and further contributions will be put towards green spaces and schools in the local area.
Now these are the kinds of things we like to hear with new developments.
Continuing to take shape on Pomona Strand between the tram stop of the same name and Cornbrook back towards Castlefield, much of the land is currently unused and overgrown along the Waterways Avenue stretch, so Manchester Waters saw the opportunity to expand with further blocks.
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However, it isn’t just a case of snapping another plot and building up; health, wellness, access to nature and spaces to socialise are said to be at the forefront of Peel’s residential development at Manchester Waters and they hope to knit into the surrounding area rather than take over it.
As per a press release, “a communal rooftop terrace located above the entrance to the site will offer residents exceptional views onto the Manchester Ship Canal and a vibrant and welcoming residents’ courtyard garden will offer extra outdoor space for residents to relax in.”
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Beyond that, the new apartments will also feature a waterside yoga studio and gym, the aforementioned rooftop terrace and ‘sensory’ courtyard garden, as well as sustainable design with solar panels, a heat recovery system, cycle parking spaces for each flat within a secure hub, as well as individual parking spaces with dedicated EV charging points through a residents-only car club.
Peel Waters is also set to add the next sections of two new waterfront pedestrian and cycle routes which will be created along the two canals, providing enhanced connectivity and waterside paths for residents, commuters and the wider community — not to mention all of these existing transport links nearby.
By the looks of things, this particular location within Manchester (designed by local AHR architects) is set to be one of the most connected and accessible when it comes to travelling into the city centre, MediaCity and beyond.
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And, as mentioned, large chunks of Pomona Strand and the surrounding area are currently derelict with no real access for locals to enjoy as an outdoor space, so with much of it having been vacant for the best of 20 years, it’s just good to see the brownfield site being further regenerated with more quality housing.
The official completion date of the development is still yet to be slated but with Peel currently working on multiple apartments and other projects along the canal and around Trafford, we’re excited to see what the waterside will look like over the next few years.
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town under ‘ambitious’ Government housebuilding programme
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town under an ‘ambitious’ proposed Government housebuilding programme.
Manchester Victoria North is one of seven new towns that have been proposed.
Named for consideration as part of what the Government is referring to as the most ambitious housebuilding programme in more than half a century, the locations of seven new towns have been revealed this week, and also include other northern locations like Leeds South Bank, as well as places in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, and Greenwich.
The Government says that the next generation of new towns are to be ‘built for the future from the ground up’.
They will create well-connected new communities with homes, jobs, schools, green spaces, and suitable transport links planned from the start.
Each proposed location is expected to deliver at least 10,000 homes – with several delivering 40,000 or more in the decades to come.
Greater Manchester could be getting a new town / Credit: Manchester City Council
All seven of the proposed new towns are set to be designed for modern everyday life, the Government insists – with neighbourhoods that people can easily get around without a car, incorporating shared green spaces and ‘vibrant’ high streets.
As part of the Manchester Victoria North proposals announced this week, at least 15,000 homes regenerating the heart of Greater Manchester are to be built, with a new Metrolink stop connecting residents to jobs across the city.
“People want real change,” explained Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “They want homes they can afford, local infrastructure that works, and good jobs in thriving communities.
“Our next generation of new towns marks a turning point in how we build for the future.
“From the ground up, we’re planning whole communities with homes, jobs, transport links, and green spaces designed together, so we can give families the security and opportunities they deserve.”
Alongside the new towns consultation, the Government has also confirmed today that the National Housing Bank will launch on 1 April, backed by up to £16 billion of financial capacity and aiming to deliver over 500,000 new homes.
The Government has also confirmed additional support worth up to £400 million over the next decade for ‘subsidised products’.
Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)
Property
Altrincham named one of the UK’s best places to live in 2026 in The Sunday Times’ annual ranking
Emily Sergeant
A popular Greater Manchester town has been named among the UK’s best places to live by the Sunday Times in its annual ranking.
That’s right… it’s that time of year, once again.
The Sunday Times is known for pulling together a list of what it considers to be the most sought-after places to live in the UK every year, and 2026’s ranking has officially been published today – with dozens of locations across the country making up the comprehensive guide, and six of those coveted locations being right here in the North West.
The Sunday Times’s expert judges have visited all locations on the list, and assessed factors such as schools, transport, culture, broadband speeds, access to green spaces, the health of the high streets, and much more to devise the always-talked-about annual ranking.
Macclesfield in Cheshire, Eden Valley in Cumbria, Lancaster in Lancashire, and Aigburth in Liverpool are just some of the North West areas named by the publication in the 2026 list.
Altrincham has been named one of the best places to live in the UK / Credit: The Manc Group
A spotlight has also been shone on two Greater Manchester towns, and one of two has even been given the regional North West title… but which are they?
Where has taken the top spot as the best place to live in the North West for 2026, and is therefore one of the best places to live in the whole of the country? Well, that honour has been given to none other than Greater Manchester’s very-own Altrincham.
The publication described the Trafford town as ‘classy, cool and effortlessly comfortable’.
“Altrincham is a top-notch town brimming with independent businesses and big brands, and now it’s flying even higher,” The Sunday Times said.
The fact that co-working has now arrived on the high street thanks to the conversion of the old Rackhams department store, and that the town’s cultural and creative ‘cachet’ is also on the rise, have been highlighted as reasons as to why Altrincham has been chosen as the North West’s winner, as well its newly-flourishing fitness scene.
Of course, the town has also been praised for its transport links into Manchester city centre and across the region, as well as it being a great place for families thanks to the excellent local schools on offer.
Didsbury was the other Greater Manchester town chosen to represent the best of the North West – with the Manchester suburb described as being ‘stylish, solid, safe, and, yes, a little bit smug in parts… but that’s okay’.
Danny Jones -
8th March 2024 
