Up to 7,000 new homes and a major new urban park are just some of the things proposed for the Strangeways regeneration scheme.
Both Manchester City Council and Salford City Council will be working in collaboration on the ambitious long-term regeneration for the Strangeways and Cambridge areas of the region, and the draft proposals have now been unveiled, outlining the vision that will ‘guide wide-scale investment and development’ across the 130-hectare location over the coming decades.
The draft Strangeways and Cambridge proposals present a ‘high-level vision’ for the area, according to the two Councils.
The plans include up to 7,000 new homes across seven distinct ‘neighbourhood’ areas, many of which will be ‘affordable’, increased commercial floorspace of around 1.75m sqft creating 4,500 jobs, a major new urban park.
The proposals support Manchester’s target to become a zero-carbon city by 2038 and reacts to other environmental factors in the areas.
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We are working closely with @SalfordCouncil around the ambitious long term vision for Strangeways and Cambridge.
A public consultation will open soon about the long-term plan for these neighbourhoods.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) March 6, 2025
Crucially, the Councils say the proposals also reflect how HM Prison Manchester – formerly Strangeways Prison – remains a ‘significant barrier to the regeneration ambitions in this part of the city and how they will work with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) around the ‘long-term future’ of the prison.
A ‘people first’ approach to the regeneration will be prioritised, while the existing architecture and heritage buildings in the area will be celebrated.
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“We know this area has challenges, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential,” commented Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, added: “The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area, which include the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, with an option for appropriate levels of mixed-use development, to continue to drive sustainable growth.
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“I’d urge everyone with a vested interest in this area, whether you’re a resident or business to engage with the consultation process and work with us help shape the future of this part of the city.”
In order to discuss the proposals, Salford Council’s Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 11 March and Manchester’s executives will meet on Friday 14 March.
Following approvals from the respective Councils, public consultations will then begin at the end of March.
Featured Image – MCC & SCC
Property
First look at major new multi-million pound Rochdale housing scheme with 200+ homes
Emily Sergeant
First look images showing a major new multi-million pound housing scheme in Rochdale have been released.
The long-awaited redevelopment of a vacant brownfield site close to Rochdale town centre has moved a step closer this week, following a £15 million funding award from the Government’s community regeneration partnership.
The scheme, which is known as Station Gardens, will feature more than 200 homes – including both apartments and houses – and a park for the use of the wider community, as well as a retail unit on the site of former central retail park close to the borough’s main train station, which has stood vacant for more than a decade.
Rochdale Council says the Government’s funding has given the scheme a ‘much needed jumpstart’ and contractors are expected to ‘start build out of the site this year’.
The first look images of a major new multi-million pound Rochdale housing scheme / Credit: Rochdale Council
As well as the housing scheme, the funding will also support a project aiming to ‘breathe new life’ into empty town centre units by creating local craft workspaces, retail outlets, and a youth arts centre to help community engagement.
It will also support the rebuild of one of the buildings on Hopwood Hall College’s Rochdale campus to create an additional floor for Higher Education and Access Students.
33 new build-to-rent apartments will be created on the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road, just across the road from the train station too, using funding from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority‘s (GMCA) brownfield land fund, and contractors are expected to start delivering this scheme in late spring.
200+ properties will make up part of the development close to the town centre / Credit: Rochdale Council
The Station Gardens scheme is also part of the borough’s wider rail strategy, seeking to redevelop brownfield sites around the borough’s five railway stations.
Up to 7,000 new homes and new employment sites should be delivered by the end of it.
“This scheme will transform an empty brownfield site into much needed new homes, including affordable homes, and a high-quality public park and will bring huge benefits to the wider area,” commented Councillor Danny Meredith, who is the cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council.
“Situated just minutes from our newly regenerated Rochdale town centre and the train station, which gives easy access to Manchester, Leeds and the rest of the borough, this is a fantastic site for new homes.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
Property
Property experts reveal when the best time of year to sell your home is
Emily Sergeant
Ever wondered when the best time to sell your home is?
Of course, when it comes to putting your property on the market, it may be more of a personal choice swaying your decision as to when you choose to list due to your circumstances, commitments, or lifestyle, but for others who just want a quick sale, it’s less about when you’re ready and more about when the prospective buyers are ready.
The Greater Manchester property market has been thriving over the last few years, with house prices rising on both the sale and rental front – and 2025 looks to be no different.
And now, estate agents across the north and experts from property listing website Rightmove have revealed when exactly to put your property on the market if you want to ensure a speedy sale and secure the best price.
Property experts have revealed when the best time of year to sell your home is if you want a quick sale / Credit: Albert Bridge | Maria Ziegler (via Geograph and Unsplash)
Spring has always been known as one of the busiest times of the year for estate agents, and these stats back that up.
Rightmove says its latest research shows that February and March are the best months to list your home, with seven in 10 (66.3%) homes listed in these months making it to completion, which is the highest success rate of the year.
Homes listed in February also find buyers the most quickly too, taking an average of 51 days, with March and April following close behind at 52 days.
Property experts say the 2025 housing market has been ‘busy so far’.
Spring time is always one of the year’s busiest periods for estate agents / Credit: Pexels
Buyer demand is up by 8% compared to the same time period last year, and the number of sales being agreed has also risen by 15%, meaning there’ll be more opportunities for sellers to find the right match for their home this year, so if you’re thinking of selling in 2025, it’s probably time to get cracking.
“These insights should make for encouraging reading for anyone thinking of listing their home for sale soon, as well as anyone who has already come to market this year,” commented Rightmove’s Chief Data Officer, Steve Pimblett.
“The spring selling season is traditionally one of the busiest periods of the year for agents, and the signs of buyer activity we’ve been seeing are setting the scene for a positive one this year.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th March 2025 
