Conversion of Manchester playing fields into 303 homes to begin
Remediation of Mellands Playing Fields in Gorton will commence in the coming weeks with developer Kellen Homes expecting project completion within three years.
Full permission has been secured after discussions over a Section 106 agreement were finalised in September.
The Manchester development includes the construction of an 11,000 sq ft youth centre, and is being delivered by Kellen Homes and the Greater Manchester Youth Federation. Asteer Planning advised on the application.
Kellen will deliver 267 semi-detached houses, as well as a three-storey building containing 36 apartments.
Of the 267 houses, 22 will be four-beds, 135 will be three-beds, and 110 will be two-bed homes. Of these, 60 homes will be affordable.
Located off Wembley Road and Mount Road, the 22-acre site will have a housing density of 13.5 units per acre.
When the application went through committee in May, Mark Calvert, land director of Kellen Homes, said: “The mix of new homes we’re proposing will be a mix of sizes and tenure types to suit first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers.
“Environmental sustainability is a top priority for us. The new homes will include enhanced insulation to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.”
The 36 apartments will be reserved for young people between the ages of 18-25 who are leaving the care system and are at risk of homelessness.
Managed by homeless charity Centrepoint, the apartments will take the form of single-bedroom studios with en suites and a shared lounge kitchen.
The young adult residents will be in full-time employment or education, and a proportion of their incomes will be required as rent payment.
Sally Orlopp, director of people, property and independent living at Centrepoint, stated: “Our mission [is to] provide high-quality affordable housing for young people in work or in an apprenticeship, with the rent capped at no more than a third of their full-time salary.
“Our Independent Living Programme is tackling the shortage of quality genuinely affordable accommodation head-on at sites across the UK, and means that young people who might be at risk of homelessness are instead able to have the key to their very own front door.”
Plans were designed by architect Gillespies, while Northern Land Agency led on the financial assessments.
Others taking on the project are Fenix Heritage, AES Sustainability Consultants, Ascerta, Redmore Environmental, Tyler Grange, Sports Planning Consultants, Brownfield Solutions, and E3P Noise.
To view the application, use the reference number 138788/FO/2023 on Manchester City Council’s planning portal.
Found off Wembley Road and Mount Road, the 22-acre site will have a housing density of 13.5 units per acre. Credit: via Kellen Homes
