Manchester greenlights nearly 1,000 homes

Landsec’s plans for 879 apartments at Mayfield and Great Places Housing Group’s ambitions for 82 affordable residences near Etihad Stadium can both progress now that city councillors have given them their blessing.

Both decisions were in line with officers’ recommendations.

On the other hand, Lidl will have to wait until next month’s planning committee meeting to learn the verdict on its proposal for a Moston supermarket, after Manchester City Council members voted to defer the application until a site visit could be had.

Mayfield

• Application reference number: 141788/FO/2024

Landsec’s residential plans for Mayfield are set to cost £253m to build on a four-acre plot off Hoyle Street. When complete, there will be four apartment blocks with 879 flats and a considerably larger Mayfield Park – that green space is expected to grow 40% as part of the proposals.

Each of the apartment buildings will be anchored in the public realm, with a rain garden, rock garden, and park square. They will step up in height as they move away from Mayfield Park. The tallest two of these buildings would be 23 storeys and 28 storeys at their highest points. The smaller two would reach 18 storeys and 21 storeys.

Of the 879 approved flats, 287 would have one bedroom, 545 would have two, and 47 would have three. Proposed amenities include rooftop terraces, podium gardens, coworking spaces, balconies, and communal lounges.

While none of the apartments are labelled as affordable at the moment, the developer has said it plans to class 20% of the flats with that designation. Landsec is working with Manchester City Council on getting grant funding for that purpose.

The apartment blocks have been designed jointly by Studio Egret West and Shedkm, with the former also leading on the masterplanning and landscape design.

More than 36,000 sq ft of commercial space is proposed for the buildings’ ground floors, with possible future tenants described as restaurants, indoor sports facilities, or shops.

194 cycle spaces will be provided, including six accessible ones.

Reflecting on the committee meeting result, Henrietta Nowne, development director at Landsec, said: “This is a significant moment for the future of Mayfield and for Manchester.

“Mayfield residents will have the ultimate back garden in an award-winning park, as part of a shared vision to create a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable new neighbourhood in the heart of the city,” she continued.

“Bringing new homes to Manchester is not only vital to meeting the city’s growing housing needs, but also to ensuring that Mayfield continues to evolve as a place where people can live, work and thrive.”

In addition to Studio Egret West and Shedkm, the project team includes planner Deloitte, cost consultant Arcadis, engineer Civic, MEP engineer WSP, and environmental impact assessor Buro Happold.

The Mayfield site is owned by Mayfield Partnership, a consortium that comprises LCR, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, and Landsec.

The group’s vision for Mayfield also includes more than 300,000 sq ft of offices, with work starting on the first of two office buildings just a few weeks ago.

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Great Places is working in collaboration with One Manchester and This City at Grey Mare Lane in Manchester. Credit: Great Places Housing

Grey Mare Lane

• Application reference number: 142453/FO/2025

Great Places Housing Group is aiming to start work this autumn on constructing 82 affordable homes, now that city councillors have voted in favour of the scheme. Caddick Construction is already lined up to be the main contractor.

The homes – a mix of one- and two-bedroom flats – will be situated on a single-acre plot on the corner of Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road. Previously the Manchester Bar pub, the site has been vacant since that institution was demolished in 2020.

Representing an investment of £20m, the scheme is largely funded by the housing association, with grant support from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

Residents of the future apartments are set to enjoy a communal garden, with some flats having private gardens and others having balconies.

The Bowker Sadler-designed scheme is the first part of a wider masterplan by Manchester City Council, the local authority’s housing delivery arm, This City, and fellow housing association One Manchester for the Grey Mare Lane area. That larger masterplan enables the delivery of up to 1,000 homes, many of which are to be designated affordable.

“The scheme has been shaped through close collaboration with Manchester City Council, One Manchester and This City, and we’re proud to be playing a key role in the regeneration of this important neighbourhood,” said Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places.

“We look forward to starting work on site and seeing the positive impact this development will have for local residents and the wider community.”

Cllr Gavin White, executive member for housing and development at Manchester City Council, described the securing of planning permission as “a significant milestone” in the regeneration of the East Manchester area.

“I’m incredibly pleased that another step forward has been taken to secure the long-term regeneration of this area, with these new homes for social rent gaining approval at planning committee,” he stated.

“What is now brownfield land will soon become the heart of a new and hopefully thriving community with a range of local amenities and facilities helping residents – new and old alike – feel a sense of connection and pride to their new homes,” he continued.

Great Places is working on another Grey Mare Lane project as well. The housing association is aiming to submit plans next year for a site off Sunny Lowry Road.

The project team includes civil and structural engineer Sutcliffe and M&E engineer Davies Partnership. Rounding out the team: SK Transport Planning, Azymuth Acoustics UK, Saville Landscape Design, Mulberry, Anthony Nickson Ecology, Energy Counsel, and E3P.