City brings 3,000-unit housing opportunity to market

An investment partner is being sought by Manchester City Council for a major residential development in Collyhurst and Lower Irk Valley in North Manchester.

Manchester City Council, in consultation with Network Rail and the Homes & Communities Agency, is looking for a partner to help create several new residential neighbourhoods. The total development could see 2,000 new houses built and 1,000 existing properties refurbished over 15 years.

The council said the areas, on the edge of the city centre, are among few in Greater Manchester with the potential to provide housing on such a large scale close to job opportunities.

The 330-acre development would contain houses, apartments and district centre retail and community facilities on Rochdale Road.

A formal tender brief published this week stated: "It is intended that the design of the new neighbourhoods will capitalise on the area's existing open spaces and setting, creating an attractive and sustainable place to live which would be a leading example of low carbon development.

"Neighbouring areas such as NOMA, Miles Platting and East Manchester are benefiting from considerable investment and the Collyhurst and Lower Irk Valley sites are well placed to share in this momentum.

GVA is advising Manchester City Council and its partners through the procurement process. It is anticipated a preferred bidder will be selected by the end of 2012.

Ian Griffiths, director at GVA, said: "With a 10-year pipeline of residential development sites and a programme to improve the existing housing stock, as well as creating a new retail/community hub and enhancing the area's infrastructure, transport, environment and public realm – the regeneration opportunity in Collyhurst and the Lower Irk Valley is exceptional."

The development framework published last October for Collyhurst and Irk Valley can be viewed here.