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.
Council calls on Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use
Emily Sergeant
Residents across Manchester are being called on to help bring hundreds of empty homes across the region back into use.
Since the beginning of this year, a major review has been underway around the city’s draft strategy for bringing empty homes back into use to help meet demand for affordable homes across the city, while also improving communities by tackling empty homes that can blight an area… but now, Manchester City Council needs your help.
Following a major public consultation, the Council is now acting on feedback to accelerate plans to bring as many long-term empty homes back into active use as possible.
Although the number of long-term empty homes in Manchester is near a historic low, with the Council having managed to reduce the number by more than half since 2013, there is still more work to be done.
“Every void property is a missed opportunity to provide a family a place to live, reduce homelessness, and lessen the burden on temporary accommodation,” the Council said in a statement.
The Council is calling on the Manchester public to help bring hundreds of empty homes back into use / Credit: Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
So, how can residents help then? What do you need to do if you spot an empty home on a street nearby?
Well, the easiest way to report an empty home is to report the issue online here, or by emailing [email protected]. And then once that’s done, a team of dedicated empty homes officers will take up the case to find out who owns the property and work with the owner on a plan to bring the home back into use.
The vast number of empty homes are privately owned with complex histories, and there are some cases where an owner may have passed away.
While working collaboratively with housing providers, voluntary organisations and public services are also a key element of detecting potentially empty or ‘problematic’ homes to repurpose them.
Officers can also support, where required, if a communication or language poses a barrier to resolving an empty home issue.
Tailored approaches to different communities – where empty homes impact neighbourhoods in different ways – are also being considered, according to the Council.
“To think, if we could bring all empty homes back into use, then we could provide more homes for those on the housing register and take pressure off the whole housing system,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development.
“The potential of making empty homes a thing of the past is huge for Manchester families looking for a place to call home – and a significant part of tackling the housing crisis.”
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Property
Much-loved Manc music shop Tasty Records goes up for sale as owners calls on next custodians to take over local favourite
Danny Jones
Much-loved Greater Manchester record and music store Tasty Records has officially closed, and the current custodian is putting the Trafford institution up for sale in hopes that someone will take over as worthy successors.
What an opportunity for any budding entrepreneurs.
The Alty record shop in its current brick-and-mortar form has stood for some time now, but popular owner Ben Molesworth has been selling physical media from 2012 onwards, and now his time at the helm of the hailed south Manchester spot has come to a somewhat bittersweet end.
A bit of a local legend with regulars who frequent and flick through his coveted vinyl collection, not just on Record Store Day but throughout the year, the area will be sad to see him go – and so will we – but it doesn’t mean this has to be the end.
“The shop deserves more than I can give it, and I have sold records in Altrincham for 14 years”, he explains, before going on to add that “It’s time for me to concentrate on different things.
“What happens now?” he continues, “Keep following! I’m not sure yet. I have closed the doors, but everything is still there… A busy website, Discogs, socials, a strong set of accounts and £ks of great vinyl stock.”
You’d think with a sales pitch like that, it would be a no-brainer for audiophiles who’ve ever dreamt of spending their days cataloguing their favourite tunes and artists, whilst providing a still criminally unsung public service: delivering printed music to the masses.
With more than a decade and a half of experience to his name, we’re sure Ben has plenty of wisdom to impart about how to take good care of his baby moving forward – he just needs some to set up to the plate/turntable.
As saturated as the Manc music market and record store scene is, it was also comfortably on this list pretty much since day one.
All that being said, part of the challenge for any independent business is getting the word out, hence why we thought we’d help do our bit by shouting about it.
He signed off by adding: “Thank you to all of my wonderful customers, friends and supporters. Tasty Recordsisn’t dead, only sleeping. Lots of love, Ben.”
For anyone who might fancy taking over this “awesome little record shop” (his words AND ours), you can express your interest/table an offer over email via [email protected].
What an honour it would be to carry on this place’s legacy – here’s hoping someone takes up the mantle soon.
Danny Jones -
8th March 2024 
