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
Disgusting you can mention sustainable, affordable homes. This place is quite historic and should of been built on. Beyond ridiculous and if house prices were what they was 30 years ago this wouldn’t even be going ahead.
By Adam Jones
13.5 to an acre. I thought there is a housing shortage, get it up to 20 to an acre
By Tom
Very disappointed with the felling of a large number of the very old trees along wembley rd so much nature disturbed surely you can save some of these being committed to the environment as you say….
By Anne Bracegirdle
There has already been lots of construction within the gorton area from schools houses . The infrastructure is over loaded already . Building more homes in this area will break the area. The pollution traffic will be unbearable. Manchester is thieving economically but dying socially . Stil building in this area the rich do not live there .they are exploiting the poor for a quick buck … manchester is collapsing and its not due to immigration but greed of businessmen poor social planning .. why don’t you build in St James Park i or hampsted heath in London.. exactly please let’s not talk about new regs about building on green belts .. to the homeless congrats u have secure a home in a polluted overcrowded area on manchester .
By BRIDGE
Only 60 affordable?yet Kellen making millions Who gives permission to these developers.The GMCA like the city centre,making millions from overpriced flats and leaving more homeless.
By Horse
I was just der the impression that Nelland plain fields was left to the people of Gorton for recreation NOT TO BUILD HOUSES ON
By Marilyn jones
Please tell me if there is going to be another road linking Wembley rd to mount as mellands rd can not sustain more traffic
By James Thompson
To go ahead with this development is simply crazy if the area infrastructure is not considered as well. Mount Rd, Barlow Rd, Cromwell Grove, and Mannor Rd is already under immense pressure from vehicles of every kind. not to mention Pollution can only increase hugely more than it is present. This is just another example of short-sightedness by the council and Developers.
By Laurie.
I’m interested and how do I apply
By Noor