Plans unveiled for new ‘island district’ in Manchester

Ambitious plans to turn Pomona Island into a new ‘island district’ for Manchester have been revealed.

The plans include building 2,600 new homes, plus green spaces and new waterfront connections.

Known as Manchester Waters, this ‘island district’ would see the urban island at the junction of the Bridgewater Canal and Manchester Ship Canal turned into a waterfront neighbourhood.

Pomona Island is a stone’s throw from the city centre and in its heyday was home to botanical gardens and the Royal Pomona Palace, before being used as docklands. These days, it’s largely underutilised.

Peel Waters have now submitted a planning application to Trafford Council, with a vision to regenerate the remaining 25 acres of brownfield land.

While many Mancs would love to see this turned into a park or community space, the developers’ proposals include 2,600 homes that will be a mixture of affordable, build-to-rent, for sale, student, care and elderly living accommodation.

But they propose keeping more than half the site dedicated to public realm and green spaces, including a five-acre park, sports and play areas, footpaths and cycleways.

The masterplan has left space for a hotel, workspace, retail, leisure and events, plus coffee shops, bars and restaurants.

An earlier public consultation found that 78% of respondents were in favour of a new neighbourhood on Pomona Island.

Peel Waters, X1 Developments and Hestia have already delivered almost 600 homes on the island as part of an earlier phase of its redevelopment, with 500 more set to begin construction next year.

Leigh Thomas, Development Director at Peel Waters, commented: “Submitting the outline planning application is a significant step forward in delivering our vision for Manchester Waters.

“This masterplan will open up Pomona Island to the public for the first time in decades, creating a unique ‘island’ neighbourhood with parks and recreation space for future visitors, residents and workers to enjoy, whilst ensuring there is a housing option for all incomes and ages.

“With support from partners and stakeholders, over 1,000 of these much needed new homes could be completed at Manchester Waters in the next 5 years – which is a really exciting prospect.

“We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the Manchester Waters consultation and shared their ideas. Their feedback has helped shape plans that will deliver the new homes Trafford and Greater Manchester need, alongside green spaces and amenities for the whole community.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council added: “Manchester Waters is a key strategic site for Trafford Council and forms a large part of our plans to regenerate that particular area of the borough. We look forward to seeing how the application for development progresses.”

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Featured image: Peel Waters and Jon Matthews Architects