Gleeson plans next wave of Beswick regeneration

Gleeson Homes will submit detailed plans for the second phase of its City East development in Beswick, Manchester, this month to Manchester City Council.

The plans cover an area between Ashton Old Road and Grey Mare Lane and include the new East Manchester Academy. City East phase two will comprise 289 homes including 223 two, three, four and five bedroom houses and 66 two and three bedroom apartments.

The development surrounds eight courtyards with gated car parking. The apartments fronting Grey Mare Lane will have retail units on the ground floor. The development has achieved a 'Secure by Design' certificate and met Manchester City Council's Access 2 mark offering very high standards for disabled access.

The high school development, subject to planning approval, will start on site next September and is scheduled to open in 2010. The 900 place-academy will specialise in the built environment and grow year by year until it is fully operational in 2015.

Students will have access to the new vocational diplomas as well as the more traditional GCSE curriculum. Proposals include a community sports hall, external all-weather sports pitches with flood lights, play areas, a public library and adult education services.

Tom Russell, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "The fundamental objective of the work in East Manchester is to provide a sustainable neighbourhood, which will provide a good quality of life for residents, where people choose to live, bring up their children and work. These two developments will offer high quality housing, retail, education and community sports facilities will better serve Beswick's rapidly growing population."

A drop-in session to view plans will take place on Thursday 25 October from 3-7pm at Ashbury Meadow Primary School on Rylance Street in Beswick.