All systems go for long-awaited £110m Boddingtons resi

Four years after acquiring part of the former brewery site on Manchester’s Great Ducie Street, Latimer has secured Gateway 2 approval and formally appointed Graham to build the 505-home project.

Graham has been attached to the scheme under what Latimer called “an informal agreement” since at least 2023 and has now signed on to deliver the £110m project, which will feature 60% affordable housing.

Plans for the development were lodged back in December 2021, six months after Latimer, Clarion Housing Association’s development arm, acquired the 1.25-acre site from LTE Group.

Since then, progress has been slow. For context, a year after Latimer lodged its planning application, Salboy acquired a neighbouring site with permission for a 556-home scheme now known as Waterhouse Gardens.

That project is nearing completion while Latimer’s is nearing a start on site.

In 2023, Latimer redesigned the project in line with shifting fire safety regulations, adding 44 more apartments, taking the total number of homes to 505.

Designed by Assael Architecture, the proposals include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom properties. Of these, there will be 115 homes for social rent, 171 shared ownership properties, and for 17 for affordable rent. The rest will be available on the open market.

Richard Cook, chief development officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “We’re delighted to be working once again with Graham to bring this landmark project to life. Boddingtons is a cornerstone of our ambitions for central Manchester for delivering high-quality, affordable new homes and a striking new presence on the city’s skyline.

“This project will transform a long-derelict site and help address the city’s growing housing need with a focus on design, safety and sustainability.”

The scheme is one of the few new-build projects across the country that has secured Gateway 2 approval from the Building Safety Regulator.

Construction is due to begin this summer, with completion expected in autumn 2028.

Stephen Van den Hoek, regional director at Graham, said: “Securing Gateway 2 approval is a significant milestone and reflects the collaborative effort between our teams to meet the highest standards of safety and design.

“This project marks another step forward in delivering high-quality, affordable homes across the region and reinforces our commitment to creating places where communities can thrive.”

Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “This is an important development not only in that it will deliver significant affordable housing in the heart of our city – helping to meet demand and widen housing options for our residents – but it also signals some of the first investment that is kick-starting the major long-term regeneration of the wider Strangeways area.

“This neighbourhood is one of the most exciting redevelopment programmes in the city and it’s great to see the historic Boddington site be an early sign of its transformation – supporting Manchester’s ongoing growth.”

The project is part-funded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and forms a key element of the wider regeneration vision for the area.