Peel plans approved for next phase of Pomona Island homes
The waterside regeneration specialist’s bid to create 159 properties at Manchester Waters has been granted by Trafford Council.
Located between The Bridgewater Canal and The Manchester Ship Canal, the one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be split across two buildings, overlooking both historic canals, and will offer every future resident a waterfront view.
As part of the project, Peel Waters will make a financial contribution equivalent to 20% affordable housing within Trafford and further contributions will be made towards green spaces and schools in the area.
Designed by AHR architects, the planning consultant is Turley and Landscape Architects is responsible for the exterior architecture.
With an eye on sustainability, a fabric first approach will be used to reduce carbon emissions. Alongside this, heat pumps and solar panels will generate energy on site and a heat recovery system will make the buildings highly efficient according to the applicants.
Active travel options will be encouraged at the development through 159 cycle parking spaces.
A car club will also be provided for residents and each parking space will have a dedicated EV charging point.
Peel Waters will also deliver the next sections of two new waterfront pedestrian and cycle routes which will be created along the Manchester Ship Canal and Bridgewater Canal, providing connectivity and waterside paths for residents, commuters and the wider community.
The approved build to rent homes will form part of Peel Waters’ wider Manchester Waters masterplan to regenerate the brownfield site and bring homes to the area.
This site has been largely vacant for more than 20 years and the masterplan proposals aim to deliver a sustainable, mixed-use community.
James Whittaker executive director for Peel Waters said: “We’re really pleased our plans have been approved to create these much needed, highly sustainable, homes at Manchester Waters.
“Manchester Waters is a prime residential site in Greater Manchester, which uniquely offers both the vibrancy of being in close proximity to the city centre with the wellbeing benefits of living on the waterside, creating a desirable location for both living and developing.”
He added: “We’re now focused on the delivery of these 159 homes and the opportunities this development will bring with them for the local community including new jobs, apprenticeships and traineeships through the construction phase.
“In addition to creating these new homes; we are continuing to significantly invest into the local area, which will include providing the next section of new improved pedestrian and cycle links between Manchester and MediaCity as well as contributing to improving local schools and green spaces in Trafford.”
I can’t imagine Peel were too happy with the affordable contribution, can’t see how it makes any financial / viability sense given market conditions.
By Marker
Good modest high density with commitment to sustainability in a good location. What’s not to like? Makes a change from the usual Manc enormo-towers
By Sceptic
With so many opportunities to do something great with Pomona Island I can’t believe this lack luster design is even being considered. It should be rejected on the ground of absolute lack of ambition!
By T Lonsdale
Boring cheap looking rubbish. Pomona Island could have been really special
By Steve
What a wasted opportunity! Such a lack of ambition for probably the best development opportunity in Greater Manchester.
By Andy
These buildings look like those Projects in Inner City America. Grim and lacking in ambition for somewhere five minutes from the centre of the most successful, regional city in the country. Pomona could have been spectacular.
By Elephant
I’ll add, what’s the obsession with rectangular blocks? With pretty much 0 interaction with the landscape, neighbouring buildings, just dull uninspiring rubbish, the site deserves better. And before some pipes up about it’s all they can do or the market says otherwise clearly hasn’t a clue and also has 0 imagination.
By Dan
These look awful, dated before being built
By Katie
Quite a lot to dislike from here! Such a massive asset & slowly giving way to some of the least inspired towers in GM. Renders look as if the ground floor will be given to the car club rather than activation. Long term, this ought to be a vibrant waterfront corridor running from media city to town, with a bustling thoroughfare & plenty of retail / hospitality. Looks like another wasted opportunity on Pomona.. sorry, Manchester Waters.
Wholly agree with Marker. Can’t go expecting much when margins stretched to the hilt for 106 contributions
By Anonymous
I never understood why this site sat empty for so long, it’s prime location surely
By Pook
They have to be an improvement on the first two cheap and ugly blocks next to them.
By Joe Murphy
What a wasted opportunity. Waterside location right between central Manchetand the Quays, and this is what is proposed and approved.
Disastrous outcome.
By The Squirrel's Nuts
Dull as dishwater but typical of Peel’s previous developments.
By Anonymous
Agree with below comments. The lack of ambition, creative design and pushing any form of boundary today is completely lacklustre. I frankly find it offensive and embarrassing, to build buildings that will outlive all who design & build, to leave something beind that doesn’t spark excitement upon sight.
It needs to change
By K
They should really reopen the road to Cornbrook from here
By Levelling Up Manager
I feel a Place North West backed campaign to improve the design standard on Pomona Island coming on. What do you say?
By Allergic to Squirrels
They look like the 1960s corporation high-rise flats that we spent so much time, money and effort demolishing. The council needs to raise the aesthetics bar, all of us are burdened by poor architecture.
By LordLiverpool
Can we have a comment from Trafford Council or Peel – is there actually a Masterplan / Regeneration Framework for the rest of Pomona Island? As many have said it is probably the most interesting waterside regeneration opportunity in the region so it needs to be thought about in a comprehensive manner – not piecemeal boring lacklustre development.
By Ken
terrible designs… how can this be acceptable this close to the city?! Especially when other developments are being held to such higher standards!?
By manc
Agree with the comments. Hate this one. What an amazing site they’ve ruined.
By Anonymous