Chorlton housing consultation to start in October
Manchester City Council is to hold consultations on three key Chorlton housing and development sites from mid-October.
The council is coordinating the consultation on behalf of third party land owners and will give residents the chance to have their say on key developments in the community. Manchester’s executive discussed the plans in July.
The consultation will focus on development opportunities at the Chorlton Precinct – currently owned by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund – and a piece of land owned by Manchester Metropolitan University at the end of Rye Bank Road.
A third site to be included is the former Chorlton Leisure Centre, which is owned by the council and has been listed as an Asset of Community Value under the Localism Act.
Consultation will run from 16 October to 15 December. The results will then be collated and a report heard by the city council’s executive early 2018. The council said that each of the sites have the potential for affordable, mid-priced and executive-priced homes.
The precinct has been earmarked for improvements for some time, and development is likely to see homes built along with new retail units and improved parking.
The most flexible of the sites is the leisure centre, where residents will be asked for their preferences. The council has advertised its intention to dispose of the site and will consider any bids, which potentially could include sports, cultural or residential, that are brought forward – however, it expects full market value.
Cllr Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “There is a significant opportunity in Chorlton to bring new housing to a thriving neighbourhood, while creating a district centre that would help the suburb truly reach its potential.
“However, it’s important that local people are involved in the decision-making process and we urge as many people as possible to make their voice hear and be part of the consultation.”