Manchester City Council has named a partnership led by Aviva and Place Capital Group, supported by Homes England, as its preferred development and investment partner for a £41m mixed‑use regeneration of sites along Moston Lane.
The proposals envisage almost 150 new homes, 36% of which would be affordable through a mix of social rent, Manchester Living Rent and Shared Ownership. Provisional plans also feature a new NHS GP health centre, fresh commercial space for shops and the creation of a long‑planned public square set out in the Council’s 2023 Development Framework for Moston Lane.
A report to the Council’s Executive on Friday 13 March will seek approval to dispose of the development plots to the partnership to unlock this district‑centre investment. Subject to planning consent, construction could begin next year.
To make way for the new square facing Moston Lane, the Council last year acquired land between Pym Street and Hartley Street and concluded a deal to relocate the existing Moston Superstore. The square is intended to host markets and community events and will include seating, lighting, trees and planting to attract visitors and bolster local trade.
Around 100 new homes are proposed on vacant plots behind Moston Lane, including apartments suited to key workers and downsizers and family‑friendly 2, 3 and 4‑bedroom townhouses. These would include social and genuinely affordable options such as social rent and Manchester Living Rent, alongside Shared Ownership aimed at local residents and first‑time buyers.
A further 45 three‑ and four‑bedroom family houses are planned on land between Watermans Close and Ebsworth Street, helping to meet demand for larger properties in the neighbourhood. Cushman and Wakefield has acted as agent for the Council in marketing and the planned disposal of the 4.2‑acre development opportunity.
Since the Moston plans were launched in 2023, the area has seen multi‑million‑pound investment in new social housing, pocket parks and green spaces, junction upgrades, road safety measures, alley‑gating, and action on fly‑tipping and environmental issues. On Moston Lane, improvements to three pocket parks were completed last year, alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub.
More than £3m of government grant funding has supported 83 new social and affordable homes for residents in recent years, including 17 Rent to Buy homes at the Moston Campus scheme finished last year. Over 100 additional affordable homes are in the pipeline for Moston in the coming years, on top of those planned within the Moston Lane scheme.
Moston will also receive a share of £20m Pride in Place funding over the next decade for community projects and initiatives. The programme aims to make streets safer, strengthen district centres, enhance community spaces and support new events and activities, complementing the Council’s existing neighbourhood improvement plans.
Local firms are being supported through direct engagement via the Business Growth Hub so they can benefit from forthcoming opportunities linked to the Council’s investment.
To ensure residents and businesses help shape the future of Moston Lane, the Council is setting up the Moston Lane Regeneration Forum, chaired by local councillor Paula Appleby. The group will advise on priorities, guide future investment and work with the appointed developer on the design of the new square and wider public realm.
The Moston Lane regeneration sits within the Council’s city‑wide High Street Investment programme.
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