Manchester forges ahead with first This City project  

The city council’s housing delivery vehicle has formally launched today, and Wates Construction has been appointed to deliver the first development, a 128-apartment scheme in Ancoats. 

Schemes developed through This City will focus on high quality, low-carbon homes and will deliver a mix of accessible rent and market properties. Manchester City Council hopes the newly established company can deliver 500 homes a year. 

All future This City developments will include a minimum of 20% accessible rented homes, according to the city council. 

Manchester said it is currently on track to exceed its target of building 6,400 new affordable homes between 2015 and 2025. 

Manchester City Council hopes This City can help deliver more than 7,000 affordable homes by 2025, exceeding its previously stated target of 6,400. 

The Ancoats scheme, located on land between Rodney Street and Ancoats Green, is designed by Buttress and would deliver a mix of apartments and townhouses, 30% of which would be available for affordable rent. 

Buttress is the architect behind the Rodney Street project. Credit: MCC

The project will be built by Wates Construction using “the latest technology and construction materials to create energy-efficient properties that ensure lower energy costs for residents and contribute to Manchester’s 2038 zero-carbon ambitions”, the city council said.  

“We are excited to transform this currently unused plot of land into sustainable, accessible homes that put local people first,” said Dave Saville, regional director for Wates Construction North West. 

“We will be working closely with Manchester City Council, the local supply chain and residents to develop designs that meet the needs of Mancunians and deliver a legacy that lasts. The Rodney Street development will not only help us to tackle the UK’s housing shortage, but through innovative methods of construction it will also support Manchester and its residents in reducing their energy consumption and contributing to a more sustainable future.” 

A consultation on the Rodney Street scheme is open and will run until 27 February. 

A planning application for the Rodney Street site is expected to be submitted in summer 2022. 

Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester has some ambitious and radical plans to see more homes built in our city that everyone can afford. Every resident in our city should have access to a good quality home and Manchester is leading the way in building our own homes as part of this.” 

The Rodney Street development is to be funded by borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board. The city council has approved £33m of borrowing to finance the Ancoats project and the second scheme, an 82-home development in Piccadilly ward.