Council to release land for affordable housing

Manchester City Council is set to release land at Blackrock Street in Beswick for housing provider One Manchester to build up to 25 social homes.

One Manchester has obtained funding from Homes Egnland for the one-acre scheme with the intention to start on site in spring next year, dependant on gaining planning approval.

Between 22 and 25 homes can be accommodated on the land and will be either two- or three-bedrooms. They will be managed by One Manchester as part of the first phase of the project to help build early momentum for the housing provider’s Grey Mare Lane regeneration.

Early consultation on the Grey Mare Lane regeneration project began last year, where One Manchester announced its proposals for a residential-led scheme focussed on affordable homes. It also plans to use this opportunity to update the area’s housing offer on a low-carbon basis and improve local open spaces, play areas, walking and cycling routes.

This comes after the Council’s executive approved a report for Manchester’s ambitious target to deliver 32,000 homes by 2025, with at least 6,400 set to be affordable.

Cllr Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “We need more affordable housing in Manchester and in order to build the numbers needed we must work in partnership with our social landlords. Using Council land to support development helps to enable high-quality affordable homes to meet this demand.

“This scheme with One Manchester will deliver up to 25 new family homes for social rent whilst unlocking much needed regeneration benefits for the wider community.

“I look forward to seeing more partnership opportunities like this in the very near future, so that we can deliver affordable, secure and sustainable homes for Manchester residents.”

David Williams, executive director of assets and growth at One Manchester, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Manchester City Council as an important partner in tackling the housing crisis in Manchester. The land at Blackrock Street will allow us to provide much needed affordable homes in area which will benefit greatly from them, while working towards the carbon neutral target for Manchester.

“Our planned development on Blackrock Street will sit close to the Grey Mare Lane Estate regeneration project, which is an important project for One Manchester. As we work to develop our plans for the area, we will do so in partnership with residents and stakeholders throughout the area, to ensure that our development are resident-led.”