Land deal struck for Newton Heath affordable homes

Manchester City Council has agreed to sell three acres of land to housing association One Manchester in order to bring forward 139 homes off Oldham Road.

A survey of the land found that it had a “nil or negative” value according to the council with a report to the executive stating “the disposal of land to One Manchester will involve the council forgoing a capital receipt of up to £129,000 in order to facilitate the scheme.” 

One Manchester, which was formed from a merger between two of Manchester’s largest housing associations, City South and Eastlands Homes, submitted plans for the TP Bennett-designed scheme at the end of January. 

The land is split into two plots which are separated by Newton Street, at the end of which is the grade two-listed Newton Silk Mill. 

The land was leased to catering supplies company Yikman Group in 2000 for 150 years but, despite having planned to develop the entire site into a mixed-use scheme, the only thing built in the intervening years was the YES warehouse which is stands vacant. 

Yikman Group has signed over the lease of the warehouse, which is set to be demolished, to L2 Property, a Surrey-based firm owned by the Leighton family, which is listed as joint applicant for the 139-home development. 

The project will be made up of 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments across two three-to-five-storey blocks and 39 semi-detached family homes that will be split equally between social rent and affordable rent.  

The ground floor of the apartment building will also include mixed used commercial and community opportunities.  

The council’s decision to dispose of the land at “less than best value” ties into its pledge to deliver 6400 affordable homes between 2015 and 2025 which is 20% of the overall housing delviery target of 32,000 homes. 

Construction could start this year subject to planning approval.  

Cllr Suzanne Richards, executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “This is another example of partnership working between the Council and One Manchester, using Council land and their development acumen to deliver low carbon, affordable homes for Manchester.  

“This sort of partnership will continue as we work to increase home building across the city, along with the creation of a Council-led housing delivery company that will ensure we are using the land resources at our disposal to deliver as much housing as possible for Manchester people.” 

David Williams, executive director of assets and growth at One Manchester, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with the council on another scheme, which will see new, affordable homes developed in Newton Heath. 

“This scheme is part of our larger programme to provide new, low carbon properties in the heart of Manchester, supporting both local people to access affordable homes, and supporting the council in meeting their carbon targets.” 

The project team includes TPM as landscape architect and Euan Kellie Property Solutions as planner.

Curtins conducted the flood risk assessment as well as advising on transport and travel.