Application imminent for canalside townhouses
An application for an 11-storey affordable housing scheme between Manchester’s Store Street and Ashton Canal is to be submitted in the coming weeks for a decision by May, developer Clarion said at a consultation event on Monday.
Subject to approval of the 63 one and two-bedroom apartment scheme at Manchester City Council’s planning committee, Clarion expects to start on site in November.
London-based Clarion, the UK’s largest housing association with 360,000 residents, has entered into a development arrangement with H20 Urban to deliver the scheme. H20 Urban is a joint venture between the Canal & River Trust, which owns the site, and developer Bloc which specialises in regenerating canal-side locations.
Richard Banks, urban designer for the North of England at the Canal & River Trust explained at the consultation that the scheme is designed to “engage with the canal” and enable sustainable transport by unlocking the canalside paths. The triangular shaped plot is highlighted by the frontage of the site on Store Street which is “a gesture to the aqueduct and keep the site lines on it.”
Daniel Lesser, regional director at AHR Architects which designed the scheme, described the complications of the site due to its shape, the fact that the land slopes, and the desire to have townhouses at ground floor on two sites facing Store Street and the canal which are at different heights. He said that despite these issues, he considered the most recent design “successful” and that it couldn’t be differentiated from other, more expensive schemes.
Rachel Hollins, head of new business and partnerships at Clarion, said she hopes this scheme would be “the first of many in Manchester city centre.”
This actually looks pretty good, I like the way the apartments face onto the canal. The brick work also goes with the buildings opposite.
By Jon P
Who will be entitled to these flats?
By Floyd
Why no balconies facing store street? Do the developers not think its residents deserve a bit of private open space to enjoy?
By Balcony watch
Went to the ‘consultation’ yesterday – what a joke.
No details available about the scheme, not a plan in the room – architects and Canals & River Trust looked dumfounded when asked anything.
Notwithstanding the general principle of the scheme looks ok.
By Bo
@Balcony watch: A balcony overlooking Presbar Diecastings? Not very appealing.
By Frank
@balcony watch – the balconies will probably over the pavement, and therefore outside of the building line.
By anon
One last remaining patch of green field to become privately-owned concrete . Never to return.
By Kieran