Two planning applications have been submitted to turn what is described as a “challenging” area of Manchester city centre into a “vibrant neighbourhood”.
As part of the masterplan to “progress the vision” for the city’s emerging Red Bank neighbourhood, Far East Consortium (FEC) – the developer behind Manchester’s Victoria North joint venture partnership with Manchester City Council – has this week submitted ambitious plans to transform over 30 acres of largely brownfield site into a thriving community.
These new plans include 4,800 new homes, alongside a range of commercial and social facilities
Developers say the plans represent “one of the largest residential planning applications” to come forward in Manchester in recent years.
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Plans submitted to turn ‘challenging’ area of Manchester city centre into ‘vibrant neighbourhood’ / Credit: FEC
The planning submissions are said to have followed an “extensive design and consultation process” to develop a masterplan for the neighbourhood centred on FEC’s ‘Wild Urbanism concept’ – which the developer says prioritises green space, biodiversity, active travel, and public realm alongside city centre living.
Initial plans propose up to 3,250 of the new homes and more than 160,000 sq ft of non-residential floor space – including commercial uses, a health centre, primary school, residential amenities, and community spaces – while detailed plans have also been submitted for three plots on Dantzic Street, which is adjacent to FEC’s 634-home Victoria Riverside scheme.
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This proposed scheme of 1,550 homes would see seven buildings varying in height between six and 34 storeys constructed – with a mix of one, two, and three-bed apartments and townhouses that developers say cater for “a diverse mix” of people and of type and tenure of home, including build to rent (BTR), affordable, and open market sale.
Away from the residential offering, the outline proposals also include the creation of new public realm with “extensive areas” of landscaping, greenspace, and wetlands aimed at supporting a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain across the neighbourhood.
Existing artist impression images of the wider Red Bank regeneration project / Credit: FEC
While the detailed proposals also include a new high street, including 20,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space “earmarked” for local independent businesses.
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Again, “extensive landscaping” would be carried out on Dantzic Street and Dalton Street – with tree planting, resurfacing, widened footpaths, and new cycle lanes.
Hilary Brett, project director at FEC, called Red Bank is a “unique area of the city”, and said there is “huge opportunity to enhance what already exists” and to create “a vibrant neighbourhood” with these newly-submitted plans.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, added: “This area at the edge of the city centre is a challenging prospect, but these planning applications are part of an ambitious vision for this new neighbourhood and community, bringing thousands of new homes, investment and life to a part of Manchester that has been underused for many years.”
Featured Image – FEC
Property
Work commences on multi-million-pound scheme to build affordable and energy-saving homes in Oldham
Danny Jones
Ground has finally been broken on a new multi-million-pound scheme to build a slate of new affordable and energy-saving homes in Oldham.
Headed up by First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO), the current development in the Hathershaw area is part of a wider strategy to deliver a total of 1,100 high-quality, sustainable properties in the borough and surrounding areas which was greenlit in 2020 and is estimated to run until 2026.
With increasing demand across the region, not to mention housing and cost of living crises across the country, FCHO has commenced work on the properties, enlisting Arca Construct Ltd as the main contractor and the project is estimated to be completed by summer 2025.
Construction work on the first 19 energy-saving and affordable Oldham homes is now well underway for the scheme, which is to cost around £4.5 million.
The Hathershaw developments include 16 three-bedroom houses along Belgrave Road and a further trio of three-bedroom homes over on neighbouring Thatcher Street.
Utilising an injection of £1.07m in funding from Homes England and a £285,000 Brownfield Housing Fund grant via Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the scheme involves transforming a former garage site into homes for affordable rent.
As part of FCHO’s green focus and sustainability targets set in its ‘Big Plan and Sustainability Strategy’, all the homes being created are also going to be eco-friendly as a priority.
Each property is being built to ensure the performance of materials that make up the building is maximised – known in the industry as a ‘fabric first approach.’
Moreover, with energy bills so challenging these days and Greater Manchester weather being what it is, each home will be highly insulated to ensure they are as warm and economical for customers as possible.
The housing association also includes a dedicated Homes and Neighbourhoods team to support homeowners once they’re all moved in.
Better still, with high energy efficiency specs in mind, all 19 of these affordable Oldham homes are set to achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) B, not only saving customers money but also helping reduce their overall carbon footprint.
FCHO’s Development Director, Joel Owen, said of work kicking off: “It is fantastic to see these energy-efficient and affordable homes starting to take shape. Not only do they complement our commitment to provide high quality and affordable homes to people in the communities we are based in and serve but also our work to have sustainable and energy-efficient housing stock.”
Arca Construct’s Head of Construction, Nigel Lonsdale,added: “We understand the critical role First Choice Homes Oldham plays in providing affordable housing and are delighted to be working with them on this scheme.
“We pride ourselves on being a trusted partner, delivering exceptional results at competitive rates. Our membership in the Considerate Constructors Scheme and CHAS Elite underscores our commitment to quality and responsible construction.”
Government extends ‘lifeline’ household support fund over winter
Emily Sergeant
Vulnerable households in England are set to receive support for the cost of essentials this winter, the Government has announced.
As summer draws to a close and the autumn and winter months edge closer towards the end of the year, the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has this week announced an extension to the Government’s already-successful Household Support Fund for the next six months up until April 2025.
The Government says the £421 million extension “gives certainty” to local Councils and authorities across England over the winter months.
As the cost of living crisis sadly continues to make its impact felt nationwide, the Government is urging pensioners and anyone struggling with the cost of energy, food, and water over the colder months to contact their local Council to see what support may be available to them.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced an extension to the #HouseholdSupportFund for the next six months
As well as covering the cost of winter essentials, many Councils also use the Household Support Fund beyond emergency support too – including working with local charities and community groups to provide residents with key appliances, school uniforms, cookery classes, and items to improve energy efficiency in the home.
The extension of the Household Support Scheme for a further six months comes after the Government has unfortunately revealed that around 1.3 million more people have fallen into poverty since 2010/11 – with living standards falling by the largest year-on-year drop since records began in 2022/23.
With the new Government continuing with its work to “deliver growth in the long term”, the extension of the Fund will help Councils to prevent vulnerable households from experiencing “an immediate cliff edge” of support with a tough winter ahead.
The Government has announced an extension to the ‘lifeline’ household support fund over the winter / Credit: Pixabay | pxhere
“We are extending the Household Support Fund for the next six months, because it is a lifeline for people who are struggling with the cost of living,” explained the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall.
“The dire inheritance we face means more people are living in poverty now than 14 years ago.
“This Government is taking immediate action to prevent a cliff edge of support for the most vulnerable in our society, and at the same time, we are taking action to fix the foundations of our country through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay, and Get Britain Working again.”
Council Leader @bevcraig has welcomed the extension of a multi-million pound which gives a vital lifeline to thousands Manchester people struggling with the cost of living.
Manchester’s City Council leader, Bev Craig, has welcomed the Fund’s extension.
“While we continue long-term work to address the causes of poverty, there is no doubt that extra short-term help is still urgently needed for those feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis on top of 14 years of austerity,” Cllr Craig commented.
“Today’s announcement will ensure we can give that extra support to those who need it most and we will work with the new government to tackle the long-term root causes.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th May 2023 
