Property

Developers reveal plans to regenerate vacant land around Cornbrook tram stop

They include apartments, hotel rooms, public amenities and more.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 30th January 2024

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.

cornbrook being redeveloped
no.1 cornbrook development peel water forshaw group
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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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. 

ADVERTISEMENT

“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.”

plans for new Cornbrook apartment complex
The CGIs for the currently derelict land look promising and it only bodes well for the Metrolink station itself.

Read more:

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.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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:

One of the UK’s biggest ice rinks is set to be built over in Trafford
The Cornbrook plans aren’t the only item on the agenda this year.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Forshaw Group

Property

Inside the Grade I-listed Cheshire mansion currently on the market for an eye-watering £11.4m

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A Grade-I listed manor house has gone on the market over in Cheshire, and to say it’s absolutely stunning is a serious understatement.

Oh… but you will need a spare £11.4 million to fork out on it though.

Of course, it goes without saying that the vast majority of people reading this article right now won’t see a sum of £11.4 million ever in their lifetimes, and properties of this size and stature are not the kind we’ll ever get to call home, so the next best thing we can do is just snoop around on good old Rightmove and have a nosey at all the jaw-dropping pictures instead.

Like us, if you’ve got no shame in admitting that one of your favourite internet pastimes is looking up houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never visit, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beast of a mansion in Cheshire.

We’re talking a Grade I-listed, 10-bedroom, has its own library, lake, tennis courts, self-contained lodges, a venue for hosting weddings and corporate events, and is sat in extensive farmland kind of ‘beast’.

This is Dorford Hall, in the Nantwich area of south Cheshire / Credit: Savills

This is Dorford Hall.

Nestled in a secluded, yet still very easily-accessible corner of Nantwich in south Cheshire, the expansive Dorfold Hall Estate boasts a seriously-stunning Grade I-listed Jacobean manor house surrounded by breathtaking Victorian gardens that’s been immaculately-restored and renovated by the current owners over several years to now offer accommodation for modern living within a historic setting.

While the estate may now serve the dual purpose of being a cherished family home, and a picturesque venue for weddings and corporate events, that’s now how it started life in the 17th century.

Built in 1616 and designed in the characteristic Jacobean style, the Grade I-listed Hall is steeped in local historical and architectural significance – with rumours claiming its construction was even expedited to host King James I during a royal visit.

It’s a Grade I-listed manor estate rumoured to have been built for King James I to stay in during the 17th century / Credit: Savills

Now, estate agents Savills call it a “fine example of Jacobean architecture”, all thanks to its symmetrical design, red and blue brick diapering, stone detailing, slate roofing, large mullioned windows, ornate chimneys, and gables.

Accommodation is arranged over three floors, with the spacious reception rooms, bespoke kitchen and dining room, library, billiards room, and the separate lodges, cottages, and apartments for housekeepers, being just a few of the stand-out features it has to offer.

And the wow-factor doesn’t stop with indoors either, as the outside is arguably even more impressive.

It’s currently on the market for £11.4 million / Credit: Savills

Once you’ve entered the estates grounds through the electric gates and make your way down the impressive tree-lined drive, you’ll find acres of mature and historic gardens, new lawn and garden irrigation systems, several outbuildings, and even an enviably-beautiful walled garden with its very-own wildflower meadow, lake.

As mentioned there’s even tennis court within the grounds too, as well as a restored Clock Tower, and the small matter of a RIBA award-winning avant-garde event space and Coach House that’s licensed to hold civil ceremonies.

We know we’ve used the word ‘impressive’ quite a few times throughout this, but what’s one more… it’s all pretty impressive, right?

Read more:

Dorford Hall is currently on the market with Savills for a whopping £11.4 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the property company to arrange a viewing.

Or take the cheaper route instead and just have a nosey at the Rightmove link here.

Featured Image – Savills

Property

Manchester City start work on next phase of stadium expansion, hotel, museum and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester City new stadium expansion next phase

Manchester City have officially started work on the next phase of their ambitious stadium expansion plans which will see their capacity increase and the wider Etihad Campus transformed into a ‘best-in-class entertainment venue’.

Planning permission for the Etihad Stadium update was secured back in July 2023 and the club has confirmed that the first steel beams have now been installed after arriving in recent weeks.

The £300 million project will not only see the Etihad’s capacity climb from 53,400 to over 60,000 but, as previously detailed, the City Football Group‘s plans also entail the creation of a brand new club shop and museum, an integrated 400-bed hotel as well as an updated fan zone set to house around 3000.

With the initial steel framework now in place, not only has ground now been broken 12 months on from full arrival and just in time for the club’s 130th birthday, but they’re already making fast progress.

Man City and CFG issue update on £300m stadium and Etihad Campus expansion.

Man City fans can expect to see the number of seats jump up in time for the 2025/26 season, with the bulk of the stadium expansion and other renovations taking place around the North Stand – the tier facing opposite the brand-new Co-op Live Arena, which faced setbacks this week.

In addition to the other main leisure attractions, once completed, the newly expanded stand will also boast a sky bar and stadium roof walk above the upper tier, giving fans and tourists the chance to enjoy unique views of the pitch and the Manchester skyline.

Drawing parallels to Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium, which was finally completed back in 2019, this will see City once again trying to assert themselves at the forefront of modern football experiences.

Moreover, with neighbouring Co-op Live arriving as a joint venture between the CFG and Oak View Groups, the Etihad Campus is perfectly poised to achieve the owners’ goal of becoming a “world-class, all-year-round entertainment venue”.

man city museum sky bar
man city new hotel
Those working on the Manchester City stadium expansion (Credit: Tom Barton via Man City)

Read more:

Importantly for the East Manchester district, the stadium infrastructure project will also bring job opportunities and economic growth to the area, with the club insisting they want to build on their “long-standing investment and commitment to its local community”.

As per an official press release, it is estimated that approximately 890 full-time roles will be created during the construction phase alone and even more are expected to be delivered once Manchester City’s new hotel, museum, sky bar and dedicated fan zones are finished.

Speaking at the site, Managing Director of Manchester City Operations, Danny Wilson, said:
“It’s been an exciting few months with the arrival and installation of the first steels and
fantastic to see the development and progress of the build in recent weeks.

“This project has been designed with our fans at its heart and demonstrates our commitment
to creating one of the most memorable fan experiences in world sport. Fans will have the
opportunity to extend their matchday by joining us at the new covered fan zone, visiting the
museum, or staying at the hotel… The next evolution of the campus is well underway and it’s great to mark the progress being made.”

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester City (supplied)

More Property

Peter Kay Co-op Live gigs cancelled

Audio

In pictures – inside Manchester’s enormous new arena as the Co-op Live officially opens its doors

Boroughs

10 hot properties for sale in Greater Manchester | April 2024

Boroughs

Work begins on dozens of new ‘affordable’ homes in Salford as part of £2.5bn regeneration

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches