Plans to build a community of new sustainable homes overlooking Greater Manchester’s historic canals have been submitted this week.
‘Manchester Waters‘ is the newest project from waterside regeneration specialists, Peel Waters.
Located between The Bridgewater Canal and The Manchester Ship Canal, the proposed one, two, and three-bedroom build-to-rent apartments form part of the company’s collection of “vibrant and innovative” waterfront developments all across the UK, and will uniquely offer every future resident a stunning home with a waterfront view.
Split across two buildings that overlook both historic canals, developers say health, wellness, access to nature, and spaces to socialise in are all at the forefront of the proposals.
A communal rooftop terrace will provide exceptional views onto the Manchester Ship Canal, and a “welcoming” residents’ courtyard garden will offer extra outdoor space to relax in, while a dedicated residents-only gym and on-site yoga studio is set to be just one of many amenities.
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Plans have been submitted for 159 new homes overlooking Manchester’s historic canals / Credit: Peel L&P
Sustainability is said to be “at the heart” of the design of the two residential buildings.
As well as adopting a fabric-first approach with the aim of reducing carbon emissions, heat pumps and solar panels will be installed to generate energy on site, and will also be complemented by a heat recovery system to make the buildings “highly efficient”.
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Active travel options will be encouraged at the development as it will have secure on-site cycle parking hubs, and a ‘car club’ with dedicated EV charging points in each space.
James Whittaker, who is the Executive Director for Peel Waters, has called the submission of plans for the new Manchester development an “exciting step”.
Sustainability is said to be “at the heart” of the proposed residential development / Credit: Peel L&P
“Waterside living in the UK comes with many benefits that enhance quality of life and wellness,” he explained, “and our proposed homes will celebrate their waterfront location as well as delivering much needed new, sustainable, quality housing in the area in addition to providing the next section of new improved pedestrian and cycle links between Manchester and MediaCity.
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“Alongside creating new homes, the proposals represent a significant investment into the local area, which will create new jobs, apprenticeships and local employment opportunities throughout the construction stage.”
The 159 proposed homes will form part of a wider Manchester Waters masterplan to regenerate the Brownfield site – which has been largely vacant for more than two decades – and developers say it will bring “much-needed quality homes” to the area.
As part of the proposals, Peel will be making a contribution equivalent to 20% affordable housing within Trafford, and a further contribution will be made towards improving green spaces in the local area too.
Featured Image – Peel L&P
Property
A look inside Fusion Manchester’s brand new state-of-the-art student accommodation in Deansgate
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Some brand-new luxury student accommodation is due to open this September just in time for the start of the academic year.
When it comes to those incredible facilities, we’re talking a gym, a yoga studio, three outdoor terraces with views across the city, study spaces, a private dining room, a gaming lounge, and free laundry. Not to mention a coffee lounge with free tea, coffee, and breakfast cereals.
They truly have thought of everything to allow students to thrive and make the most of the Manchester life, including running social events, co-working spaces, and mental health support.
This is Fusion Manchester’s brand new state-of-the-art student accommodation in Deansgate / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
And as for the location? Well that’s just the cherry on top.
Fusion Manchester is nestled in the heart of Deansgate, making it less than a five-minute walk to Deansgate Train Station or tram stop, as well as being in prime proximity to the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University which are both around 20 minutes away on foot – ideal when you’re running late for a class.
It also could not be in a better spot for making plans on the weekends with new friends, as it’s just a stones-throw away from some of the best cafes, restaurants, concert and retail spaces that Manchester has to offer.
The rooms boast incredible panoramic views / Credit: Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
All residents’ rent covers their utilities, superfast Wi-Fi, free laundry, regular housekeeping and access to shared facilities, as well as the building having a 24/7 reception, secure fob entry, and CCTV throughout, to keep students feeling nice and safe.
Rooms range from en-suite accommodations at £265 per week, to classic, premium, or deluxe studios from £345 per week – but hurry, as they’re booking up fast and it’s not hard to see why.
If you’d like to book a viewing or learn more about Fusion Manchester, click here.
Featured Image – Darren Robinson Photography (Supplied)
Property
Manc architects submit plans to demolish 1970s office block and make way for new residential area
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based architects has submitted promising proposals to demolish an old 1970s-era office block and make way for a brand new residential community in Stockport.
The vision seems fairly ambitious and lofty – pun intended – but the potential outcome could be stunning.
Ollier Smurthwaite (OS) Architects are the local practice behind the new housing plans, which will not only provide nearly 300 new homes but also bring part of the Stopfordian skyline down; it’s not often you hear of things getting lower when so much of Greater Manchester just keeps building up.
Sharing the first proper glimpse at what they hope the redeveloped corner of the busy A6 main road will look like, many have been pleased to see familiar red brick and a traditional feel as opposed to more glass towers.
Writing a lengthy caption alongside the social media post, the OS state, “We are preparing a planning application for the St Christopher’s site in Stockport.
“Located at the prominent junction of Wellington Road South and Longshut Lane, the proposal aims to transform the prominent corner by demolishing the existing 10-storey 1970s office block to make way for a new residential community.
“The proposals are for a modern ‘mansion’ block with taller ceilings, more windows, better communal areas and private gardens.”
It remains to be seen at what price point these apartments will be available for.
Promising a total of 278 ‘new dwellings’, the scheme will crucially see the height of the existing plot lowered to fall in line with other neighbouring properties, as St Christopher’s House currently sits well above the nearby terraces and its metropolitan style does stand out against the surrounding brickwork.
The early reception to the proposed plans looks to be largely positive, too, with one user commenting online, “A very nice looking building with character. More of these please”; another went so far as to add, “These are the sort of modern buildings that will become grade listed.”
It’s also worth showcasing what exactly these blueprints look like when they’re brought to life, such as another development over in Longsight:
Render vs Reality. We recently completed our Daisy Bank scheme in Longsight Manchester for 72 new homes. The scheme takes contextual references from Dalton Ellis Hall & Victoria Park Christian Fellowship in the adjacent conservation area.@createstreets@archi_tradition… pic.twitter.com/DasRUtaylh
Safe to say that seeing what businesses trying to regenerate boroughs actually deliver compared to their initial mock-ups is always useful.
The award-winning firm goes on to add that “the building will be deliberately stepped back from the pavement to create a planted tree-lined avenue”, which will also revolve around a central courtyard and residents’ gardens, with ground-floor flats benefitting from private patios.
CGIs of shared communal roof terraces also give the designs that added modern look, with few other places in the vicinity offering this kind of space. It could be a welcome addition to the region that is already going through plenty of change at the minute.
Another big construction scheme is the one being carried out by Capital and Centric over the new Weir Mill district, which could be transformational for the town centre.
Emily Sergeant -
27th October 2023 
