Local developers Forshaw Group and ‘regeneration specialists’ Peel Waters have revealed plans to transform the empty bit of land next to the Cornbrook tram stop into a high-quality, mixed-use residential scheme.
The currently vacant brownfield site located between Cornbrook station and the VOX Manchester apartment complex has sat unused for a number of years, but with numerous plots being regenerated in and around the Castlefield area, the Bolton-based company have seen some potential.
Forshaw Land & Property have this week submitted plans to Manchester City Council to redevelop the area into a 24-storey development consisting of 224 one, two, three-bed and even four-bed penthouse apartments and hotel rooms.
In an effort to knit into the local community, the proposals also include other new amenities, including an independent coffee bar and co-working spaces, as well as a gym, yoga studio and private dining room for prospective residents.
The first CGIs of the proposed Cornbrook regeneration plans have now been shared. (Credit: Forshaw Group)
Folding into Peel‘s ongoing Manchester Waters project, which has already seen a number of new waterside buildings erected on Pomona Island, leading up to Salford Quays and back towards the city centre, the one-acre plot has seen locals Leach Rhodes Walker appointed as the lead architects.
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Set to take design influence for the development from the historical industrial context of the site, they say the proposed plans will turn this land into a “high-quality gateway building” and serve as an “arrival point into the City… whilst complementing the other new buildings close to the site.”
The Forshaw Group’s Managing Director, Lyndon Forshaw, said: “I’m really excited by our proposals for this hugely important gateway site that delivers on the ambitions of the Cornbrook Regeneration Framework.
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“The development will mark the entrance to Manchester city centre providing much-needed new homes along with a brand-new upmarket hotel. This will be our largest residential-led scheme to date and deliver the first hotel of our new prestigious brand Vivere Aparthotels.”
The CGIs for the currently derelict land look promising and it only bodes well for the Metrolink station itself.
As for Peel Waters, whose presence in Manchester is continuing to grow, Executive Director James Whittaker added: “We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Forshaw Group to bring forward an opportunity to create needed high-quality housing, places to stay and amenity space to the area.
“The proposed plans by Forshaw Group complement our vision for the wider Manchester Waters neighbourhood which will transform the site into a sustainable, mixed-use community, which will offer a range of inclusive living options in one of the most desirable locations in Greater Manchester.”
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This isn’t the only new project recently announced by the Peel Group either, as they are also spearheading a new ice rink down the road in Trafford.
You can see the plans for the new venue which is set to be one of the biggest in the UK down below:
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 -
30th January 2024 
