Manchester selects Glenbrook for 100% affordable Hulme scheme
A 2.75-acre site off Greenheys Lane West and Old Birley Street will be redeveloped into around 300 discounted homes.
Manchester City Council has selected developer Glenbrook to deliver a 100% affordable housing scheme on the Hulme site, which was once earmarked for an extension of UKFast’s headquarters.
As part of its ongoing estate strategy, the city council appointed CBRE to market the Birley Fields site for sale last year alongside Church Street car park in the Northern Quarter. Glenbrook was selected as preferred bidder for both.
Early thinking for the Hulme scheme is a 293-home low carbon development featuring a range of tenures including social rent, affordable rent, and affordable home ownership, as well as a community garden and other green spaces.
Jamie Sutton, senior development manager at Glenbrook, said: “We’re excited by the opportunity at Birley Fields and delighted to continue our partnership with Manchester City Council as their selected development partner.
“The essence of Hulme is one of resilience and community spirit – a part of our city that has helped shape modern British music, design, and identity. As a developer, we are acutely aware of the responsibility we hold in delivering such an important scheme, one that provides considered architecture and public realm whilst responding to the needs of the wider community.
“Over the coming months we will be reaching out and consulting with key stakeholders across the ward as we develop our initial concept in preparation of a planning application later this year.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, described the proposed development as a “great scheme for Hulme”.
“The Birley Fields site has been an underused site for many years, so it’s great to see proposals emerging with the level of ambition and vision that is being developed, as well as a clear commitment to improving biodiversity across the site.
“Importantly, genuinely affordable homes – including social rent homes – are at the heart of this scheme, including quality green spaces and opportunities for the local community to come together. This approach has been guided by local people and it’s important that we continue to engage in the neighbourhood as the plans develop further.”
The residential-led plans for the site are a departure from early proposals. Lawrence Jones, UKFast’s disgraced founder, agreed a deal with Manchester City Council to acquire the plot of land opposite the firm’s Birley Fields campus in 2019.
The deal was agreed just before Jones stepped down from the company amid the sexual misconduct allegations that eventually saw him jailed for 15 years.
