Chelmsford City Council has begun the hunt for a development partner to help deliver the £250m regeneration of Chelmer Waterside, one of the city’s most significant brownfield sites. Formerly home to the town’s gas works, the site has been rebranded as Chelmer Waterside and is now primed for transformation into
London Councils has urged the government to reconsider key elements of plans to reform council funding in its response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, which closed recently (Friday 15 August). In particular, the cross-party group highlighted the need to accurately measure the capital’s high levels of deprivation, with
The long-awaited transformation of West Wickham Leisure Centre has taken a major step forward, with a revised planning application submitted for a partial rebuild of the popular facility. The London Borough of Bromley has appointed Alliance Leisure to oversee the £22 million modernisation, with Etec Group confirmed as the main
Cardiff’s City Hall, a Grade I listed Edwardian iconic landmark opened by Lord Bute in 1906, stands as a testament to the city’s architectural grandeur and historical significance. The first phase of the works focuses on replacing the outdated mechanical and electrical infrastructure. This includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, and
The first residents will begin to move in through the summer as This City begins completion phase for its development in the heart of Manchester. The No. 1 Ancoats Green development of 129 low carbon homes – a mix of 119 apartments and 10 town houses – using Council-owned land
The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill. Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved
GREATER Manchester has unveiled its vision for the next decade – a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. The city region is setting its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a second city to rival any other on the planet
An underused multistorey car park in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into a green, sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the unique and independent ethos of the area. CBRE was appointed by Manchester City Council to market the Church Street site for disposal last year and, following a competitive
Key updates to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Manchester’s East Village Central will be considered as part of a report to the Council’s executive committee next week (Tuesday 8 July). First approved in 2022, the SRF for the East Village area – which sits within the wider Piccadilly SRF
Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis with its comprehensive plan to build new homes, connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, and drive up standards across the rental sector. By driving an increase in new homes across the region, including affordable, social and net
Chelmsford City Council has begun the hunt for a development partner to help deliver the £250m regeneration of Chelmer Waterside, one of the city’s most significant brownfield sites. Formerly home to the town’s gas works, the site has been rebranded as Chelmer Waterside and is now primed for transformation into a residential-led neighbourhood. Recent infrastructure improvements, including a new pedestrian bridge linking the site to the city centre in under five minutes, have unlocked the area’s potential for large-scale development. Chelmsford City Council said the scheme could deliver between 770 and 1,000 new homes across six hectares, with phases designed around apartment-led blocks. Work has already begun on relocating the existing gas pressure reduction system, due to complete in early 2026, while remediation and decontamination of the former gasworks land will form a key part of the early programme. Some housebuilders, including Taylor Wimpey, have already delivered homes on adjoining parts of the wider waterside area. The council is now seeking a lead partner to accelerate the main residential development. The procurement process will shortlist up to three bidders from an initial questionnaire stage, who will then move into dialogue and negotiation before final tenders are submitted. The winning bidder will enter into a preferred developer agreement to confirm delivery commitments. A council spokesperson said the vision for Chelmer Waterside is to create a vibrant new residential community that makes the most of its riverside setting, while supporting wider regeneration and growth across the city. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has urged the government to reconsider key elements of plans to reform council funding in its response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation, which closed recently (Friday 15 August). In particular, the cross-party group highlighted the need to accurately measure the capital’s high levels of deprivation, with the impact of housing costs properly factored in. Boroughs argue ‘flawed’ deprivation measures risk undermining the government’s aim of ensuring funding follows need. For example, the deprivation measure currently proposed gives ‘road distance to a post office’ equal weighting to levels of homelessness – suggesting these factors have the same level of impact on deprivation in a community [1]. London Councils has also raised concerns about: The government’s reforms, which set out a new approach to distributing funding between local authorities in England, are due to be implemented from 2026/27 and will have a major long-term impact on council finances. While London Councils welcomes the government’s commitment to target areas of high deprivation when allocating funding, the cross-party group says the proposed deprivation measures do not sufficiently factor in housing poverty – with potentially devastating consequences for London boroughs’ future budgets. Housing costs take up the largest portion of most household spending. How much someone pays for housing has a significant impact on their disposable income, and the wider impact of housing availability and homelessness is a significant driver of deprivation. However, the government plans to use the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) to measure deprivation, which fails to account for these impacts as it does not adequately reflect housing poverty. Housing poverty is a particular concern for the capital, where one in 50 Londoners is currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation, and one in four London households is living in poverty when housing costs are taken into account. Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said: “We have long called for reform to local government funding to ensure money is distributed fairly on the basis of need. However, the current proposals risk failing to achieve this. After more than a decade of structural underfunding, rising demand and skyrocketing costs, the impact on London could be severe. “It is right to focus resources on areas with the highest levels of deprivation, but we can’t ignore deprivation in the capital – London has the highest rate of poverty in the country once housing costs are factored in. It is difficult to explain how proximity to a post office affects someone’s life as much as homelessness, yet these factors are given equal weighting under the current proposals. “As the government considers the responses to the consultation, we will continue working with them to ensure we create a funding regime that genuinely matches resources to need and helps restore financial stability to the sector. This is critical to us delivering on our shared priorities, including building homes, creating jobs and driving economic growth.” London Councils is urging the government to amend its proposals so that the new funding formula is robust and accurately measures levels of need for local services. Councils in London already have the widest funding gap of any region in the country. Research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) previously found an estimated 17% gap between funding need and the actual levels of local government funding across the whole of London. Recent analysis by the IFS found that “regionally London is the biggest loser” under the current funding reform proposals. Boroughs are facing a funding shortfall of at least £500m this year and nearly one in four (seven) currently rely on emergency borrowing measures through the government’s Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) scheme – the highest rate of any region in the country. London Councils’ modelling of proposed funding reforms suggests a majority of the London boroughs currently reliant on EFS will actually see their funding shares decrease under the current proposals. Without sufficient funding to meet the demand and cost of delivering services in the capital, the cross-party group warns that more councils risk needing EFS. London Councils’ briefing on the Fair Funding Review 2.0 proposals can be found here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The long-awaited transformation of West Wickham Leisure Centre has taken a major step forward, with a revised planning application submitted for a partial rebuild of the popular facility. The London Borough of Bromley has appointed Alliance Leisure to oversee the £22 million modernisation, with Etec Group confirmed as the main contractor. Plans include a brand-new café, modernised gym, upgraded reception area, refurbished changing rooms and a state-of-the-art competition-length swimming pool. The centre was closed last year after initial structural assessments identified significant issues. Enabling works, including asbestos removal, have already been completed, paving the way for demolition to begin in the coming weeks, subject to final planning approval. Approval for the works was granted at a council meeting in July. Alongside the rebuild, refurbishment is continuing on the rest of the centre, with particular attention given to the learner pool. Councillor Yvonne Bear, executive councillor for renewal, recreation and housing, said: “We are in a fairly unique position among local authorities of being able to press ahead with a substantial investment in our leisure provision, and I know many residents will be excited to see further progress on site shortly as we secure this centre for many years to come.” The revised plans were developed after further structural inspections, made possible by the asbestos removal, revealed that part of the building was beyond economic repair. This section will now be demolished and rebuilt to modern standards. Although the updated schedule means the centre is expected to reopen in early 2028, the council says the investment will provide greater long-term certainty and help reduce future maintenance costs, ensuring West Wickham Leisure Centre continues to serve the community for decades to come. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cardiff’s City Hall, a Grade I listed Edwardian iconic landmark opened by Lord Bute in 1906, stands as a testament to the city’s architectural grandeur and historical significance. The first phase of the works focuses on replacing the outdated mechanical and electrical infrastructure. This includes the design, manufacture, supply, installation, and commissioning of a new permanent heating solution across the South, West, and East wings of City Hall. Key areas within the scope include the Council Chambers, the Upper Great Hall and the Lower Hall. In parallel with phase 1 upgrades, associated architectural and builders’ works are being undertaken to ensure seamless integration of modern systems within the fabric of this culturally significant building. Given City Hall’s listed status, all work is being carried out under strict heritage oversight, with a strong emphasis on carefully protecting historic internal features such as decorative ceilings, stained glass, sculptures, historic paintings and original finishes. The project team is working closely with conservation officers and heritage specialists to ensure that interventions are sympathetic, reversible where possible, and in keeping with the building’s original character and iconic landmark status. To inform and support the restoration effort, drone technology has been deployed to survey roof structures and external elevations, providing detailed visual assessments while minimising risk to delicate masonry and avoiding intrusive access methods. In addition, we worked closely with the client’s project management team, Gleeds, who utilised a photographic digital twin for a comprehensive internal survey of the building, capturing accurate spatial data and high-resolution imagery to support detailed analysis and planning. Mark Bowen, Managing Director of Andrew Scott Ltd, said “We’re proud to be working closely with Cardiff Council to deliver this important project at Cardiff’s iconic City Hall. Our team is dedicated to preserving the building’s historic character while carefully integrating the modern infrastructure it needs to serve future generations. It’s a privilege to contribute to a project of such cultural significance, and we’re making strong progress thanks to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.” Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Cllr Russell Goodway said: “City Hall is one of Cardiff’s most treasured buildings, and these essential upgrades will ensure it continues to serve the city for generations to come. We’re proud to be working with partners who understand the importance of preserving its heritage while introducing the modern infrastructure needed to deliver on our One Planet Cardiff climate commitments and future-proof the building.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first residents will begin to move in through the summer as This City begins completion phase for its development in the heart of Manchester. The No. 1 Ancoats Green development of 129 low carbon homes – a mix of 119 apartments and 10 town houses – using Council-owned land to build the homes that the city needs with a range of sizes from one to four bedrooms. 30% of the homes will be let at the genuinely affordable Manchester Living Rent, which can be covered by the local housing allowance and therefore affordable to as many people in the city as possible. The project started on site in 2023 as the maiden development for This City (the Council’s housing development company) with the aim of increasing the delivery of homes to meet demand using brownfield land, while also improving access to genuinely affordable housing and creating more options for Manchester residents. No. 1 Ancoats Green overlooks a transformed Ancoats Green with the public realm surrounding the homes seamlessly into the new park and through to the Ancoats neighbourhood. The homes have the facilities and attractions of the city centre on their doorstep, serviced by great transport links together with walking and cycling routes. Each of the properties have large triple glazed windows, alongside industry leading air tightness and insulation for energy efficiency to keep the homes cool in the summer and keep running costs down in the winter months. Residents will also have the opportunity to make use of the brand new Ancoats Mobility Hub for cycle storage, electric vehicle charging and car parking. No. 1 Ancoats Green represents the first phase of an exciting pipeline of projects for This City that will see more than 1,500 new homes built in the second phase – delivered in partnership with Greater Manchester Pension Fund. See notes to editors for more information. There will also be an open day taking place on Friday, August 1, at 11am, where members of the public will be able to visit the development and receive a personalised tour of the site, with an opportunity to have their questions answered by a member of the team. Find out more about This City This City is contributing the Council’s ambitious housing strategy that has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 homes between 2022 and 2032. At least 10,000 will be for social rent, Council and genuinely affordable homes – of which at least 3,000 will be in the city centre. Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, said: “No. 1 Ancoats Green is the product of a vision we have had since the inception of This City, to use our own land to build the homes we know our residents want and need, to a high specification, and on our own terms. For many years it has been incredibly challenging for Councils to build homes to meet demand, but through This City we are proving that it is possible – while also delivering genuinely affordable housing for our residents. This is only the beginning for This City and through our new joint venture partnership with the GM pension fund, we are scaling up delivery and we have more than 1,500 new homes in the coming years with sites across the city.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “This is an exciting milestone for This City. I’ve been following the progress of this development from the beginning and it’s brilliant to start welcoming the first residents into their new, quality homes. With the Ancoats Green and the city centre on the doorstep, this is surely one of the most attractive developments on offer right now. And importantly, 30% of these homes are genuinely affordable and capped at the Manchester Living Rent meaning as many people as possible in the city can access them.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first phase of Aberdeen’s £50m beachfront redevelopment was officially opened yesterday (Tuesday 15 July 2025) with the unveiling of the newly revitalised Broadhill. Delivered by main contractor Robertson Construction Group for hub North Scotland – Aberdeen City Council’s development and delivery partner for the wider masterplan – the much-loved local landmark has been completely transformed. Spanning five hectares, Broadhill now includes new access steps, footpaths, viewpoints, drystone walls, timber and concrete seating, and extensive landscaping. More than 10,000 new trees, shrubs and ground vegetation have been planted across the site, enhancing the natural environment and boosting the area’s ecological value. The redevelopment of Broadhill forms part of the largest transformation of Aberdeen beach in 35 years. Work is already well under way by Robertson on a new beach park and large events field, with the Broadhill improvements completed in time for visitors to enjoy the site as a viewing point during the Tall Ships Race (19–22 July). Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, Councillor David Cameron, marked the occasion with a cup of tea and a traditional Aberdeen ‘rowie’, enjoyed at one of the striking new viewpoints overlooking the coastline. The Lord Provost said: “This is an exciting occasion to toast with the first part of the beachfront works finished. As thousands of people come into the city for the Tall Ships Races, the revamped Broadhill with additional seating and a viewpoint will be a prime place to watch the vessels sail into the harbour as well as the spectacular Red Arrows display.” Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Robertson Group, said: “The opening of Broadhill is the first completed project as part of the overall transformation of Aberdeen’s beach. Being the trusted delivery partner, we understand the importance of bringing the vision of Aberdeen City Council and the local community to life. “Working closely with hub North Scotland and the Council, significant progress is being made in the creation of well-designed, connected spaces which will be home to high-quality facilities. The vision to redevelop the beach will benefit the community through the provision of public realm spaces that will inspire wellbeing and activity and contribute to the local and regional economy.” Richard Park, chief executive of hub North Scotland, added: “This is a landmark moment for the beach redevelopment with the transformation of Broadhill and the progress on the other works. Robertson has done a fantastic job in completing the Broadhill and every day now you can see the progress on the rest of the area. This will be a ‘must-visit’ destination when completed.” Aberdeen City Council’s Co-Leaders welcomed today’s opening as the first project to be completed in the ambitious Aberdeen City Centre and Beach Master Plan. Co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to see the first of the beach works finished as the first of the City Centre and Beach Master Plan projects. We hope many generations to come will make good use of the changes at Broadhill. The beachfront is one of the jewels in the city’s crown and the work taking place in the area will further transform the beach area for the enjoyment of everyone.” Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard said: “We welcome the works finishing at Broadhill. As work continues at the beach, I am looking forward to more of the works finishing and people of all ages being able to make use of the great new facilities. “The Council is committed to working with Aberdeen’s residents, beach users, partner organisations, and businesses at the beach to make Aberdeen beach and the Links the envy of other cities and a place where local people and visitors alike will want to visit to again and again.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GREATER Manchester has unveiled its vision for the next decade – a thriving city region where everyone can live a good life. The city region is setting its sights on a new era of economic growth, on the way to becoming a second city to rival any other on the planet by 2050, with new underground transport services and a flagship underground station at Manchester Piccadilly. Speaking to a packed room at Manchester’s Campfield on Wednesday, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, joined by Leaders and partners from across the city region, shared the city region’s blueprint for a greener, fairer future. The announcements were made during the launch of The Greater Manchester Strategy 2025-2035. At its heart is a Growth Plan and a People Plan, which together will ensure that every person and every place in Greater Manchester feels the benefits of economic growth. The Mayor set out how we will continue to put housing first by unlocking land for thousands of new homes, and pledged that, by 2027, Greater Manchester will be building more social housing than it is losing through Right to Buy. The Mayor also revealed plans for new bus routes, tramlines and train stations to connect thriving communities across the city region with an integrated, lower cost transport system – helping more people get out and access new opportunities. Construction of a tram stop to service new homes at Victoria North will start by 2028 while work to bring Metrolink to Stockport will begin by 2030. And two commuter rail lines will join the Bee Network by next December, with another six joining by 2028. The Greater Manchester Strategy also sets out how we’ll transform our technical education system, including through delivery of the Greater Manchester Baccalaureate. This includes giving every young person who needs one access to a guaranteed high-quality 45-day work placement. And to help connect young people with work and study opportunities, Greater Manchester will also introduce half price bus travel for 18-21-year-olds from September 2025. A pilot of free 24-hour bus travel for older and disabled people will also be rolled out in August, lifting the morning restrictions before 9.30, and will be evaluated to see how it could be developed. The Mayor announced Sebastian Coe as Chair designate of a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to spearhead the Old Trafford Regeneration scheme – the biggest sports-led scheme since the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which Lord Coe was instrumental in securing and delivering. Steve Coogan was named co-chair designate of the proposed Middleton MDC alongside Rose Marley, Chief Executive of Co-operatives UK. The actor, comedian and producer will return to his hometown to work with Rochdale Council and the local community to revive the town. The new Mayoral development vehicles will help drive a new decade of inclusive growth across Greater Manchester, attracting investment and building pride in our towns. The Mayor also announced plans to unlock transformative investment in transport infrastructure, so that by 2050 Manchester Piccadilly has an underground tram and train station with a high-speed rail link to Liverpool and regeneration of the surrounding area – making it ‘the Kings Cross of the North’. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Our first decade of devolution has shown how much we can achieve by working together. We’re the UK’s fastest growing economy and stand on the cusp of what I believe could be our best decade since the Victorian era “Our task for the next decade is to build a platform for success for all our residents. We’ve never believed in a “trickle-down” model of growth here – that if a few people and places do well then, somehow, that will benefit everyone. We know we will only change the fortunes of all our people and places if we’re prepared to intervene and fix the foundations of life. “That means making sure everyone has a healthy home, in a safe and welcoming community; it means offering people support to tackle the everyday stresses and strains of life; and it means helping all our young people to fulfil their potential by providing a clear line of sight to great jobs in our growing economy, with strong technical routes as well as academic ones. All this must be underpinned by a low-fare public transport system, connecting people to opportunities. “We’ve proved that we’re ready to forge our own place-based solutions and the Government has recognised this by making us the UK’s first ‘Prevention Demonstrator’. We’ll develop a better way of delivering public services, treating people as names not numbers and creating the conditions for everyone to live well, rather than waiting until people are in crisis to offer support. “Our vision is ambitious, but in my eight years as Mayor, I’ve learned that, when we pull together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. There’s a long and proud tradition of collaboration in Greater Manchester. Devolution has turbocharged that and now we’re ready to deliver a new model of growth where no one is left behind.” To lock in growth for the next decade, Greater Manchester will use its devolved powers to pioneer a new way of delivering regeneration. Our Integrated Pipeline will spread the benefits of growth across the city region, building on a scale and at a pace not seen before in this century. As well as thousands of new homes, it will deliver new manufacturing sites, commercial spaces, innovation districts, and hubs for entrepreneurship, creating tens of thousands of new jobs and cementing Greater Manchester’s reputation as a great place to do business. The new Mayoral Development Corporations (MDCs) and Zones (MDZs) will kickstart regeneration. They’re innovative tools that Greater Manchester can use to bring together local partners and drive forward our ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth. MDCs are statutory bodies, set up by the Mayor, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area. They can take on broad powers including land
An underused multistorey car park in Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter will be transformed into a green, sustainable neighbourhood set to complement the unique and independent ethos of the area. CBRE was appointed by Manchester City Council to market the Church Street site for disposal last year and, following a competitive process, it is proposed that the Council will sell the 1.54acre (0.62ha) Church Street site to Glenbrook, subject to formal decision making and planning permission. The scheme will deliver more than 300 new homes, including 60 (20%) affordable homes, alongside new commercial opportunities and high-quality public spaces. It is expected that the development should respect the heritage and architecture of the historic neighbourhood, helping to enhance the wider area and improve the car park site that has long fallen out of step with the wider locale. The new neighbourhood will also feature four new public squares and green spaces, along with opportunities for pedestrianising the surrounding streets as part of the public realm, and to support active travel options to and through the area. A new flexible community and gallery space will also be part of the proposed development. The commercial space within the ground floor will offer a mix of smaller, more affordable units to ensure local independent businesses can access the neighbourhood – alongside units for food and beverage outlets. The development proposals commit to delivering high levels of sustainability, biodiversity and social value. The final legal negotiations with Glenbrook will conclude over the summer prior to public consultation to inform a future planning application. Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “For too long the Church Street car park has been an eyesore and a barrier to the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter. We want to bring forward a world-class development that has the potential to completely transform this part of the neighbourhood, together with the newest city centre public squares and green spaces. “As part of this, we want to make sure that the businesses that make their home here reflect the independent ethos of this community, complementing and helping to enhance the wider neighbourhood. As such, this development will also celebrate the distinct architectural heritage of the Northern Quarter and honour the history of the area. “We felt Glenbrook shared these ambitions, understood how the development of this site should sit within its context, and create a new neighbourhood that supports the ongoing success of the Northern Quarter and the wider city centre.” Director at Glenbrook, Ian Sherry commented: “The Church Street site represents a unique opportunity in the heart of the Northern Quarter, a neighbourhood and community that is alive with energy and creativity, and Glenbrook is delighted to play an important role in its future growth. “To be selected as the Council’s preferred purchaser is a huge accomplishment for our entire project team, who have all immersed themselves in the submission. We look forward to jointly delivering an outstanding project for the Northern Quarter community and supporting the city’s continued growth agenda that confidently projects its future as a globally recognised destination.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Key updates to the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Manchester’s East Village Central will be considered as part of a report to the Council’s executive committee next week (Tuesday 8 July). First approved in 2022, the SRF for the East Village area – which sits within the wider Piccadilly SRF area – guides investment and development in the emerging city centre neighbourhood behind Piccadilly train station. The 2022 SRF did not give detailed proposals for the 1.6ha former Presbar Diecastings Foundry (‘Diecast’) site, as it was expected to be a later phase of development. This update to the East Village plan will incorporate the site as part of the long-term regeneration aspirations for this neighbourhood. This site has significant potential to deliver 1,400 new homes, significant hotel space, 12,000sqm of workspace, and 6,500sqm of retail, leisure and event space. To note – this SRF update does not include the Stockton’s site within the East Village Central Framework area, which remains governed by the previously agreed 2022 East Village Central SRF document. East Village Central opportunity The update to the SRF, covering the former Diecasting Foundry site, provides the opportunity to deliver new homes and commercial space, with complementary leisure amenities for existing residents in the immediate vicinity. The vision set out within the draft framework is to create a unique, vibrant and green neighbourhood in the city centre supporting a mix of uses to create a welcoming and inclusive space. A distinct character and sense of place will be developed inspired by the history of the area through a sustainable reuse and repurpose approach. Approximately 40% of the site area could be used to create an inclusive green public space that encourages community participation and interaction, including pop up events. The site will improve connectivity through the site and to neighbouring communities through improved walking and cycling routes together with interconnected green spaces. Sustainability will be embedded throughout the lifecycle of development, implementing green practices throughout the process. The site is envisioned as a hub for commerce and community, building on the tech hub already established in the area, new leisure opportunities, and local amenities that will prioritise local suppliers and independent businesses. A new purpose-built building will provide a long-term home for the current Diecast hospitality venue, which will also enable the site to be designed to manage any potential impact on local residents. Development will be coordinated and phased to ensure the venue can continue to operate through the duration of the regeneration of the area. Former Stockton’s Furniture site A planning application for the former Stockton’s furniture site has also now been submitted to the Council with proposals to deliver 758 apartments and 45,000sq ft of office space. This development will be complemented by 55% of the site being developed for new public space. Read the East Village Central SRF report in full Consultation on the SRF update is expected to begin in mid July 2025. Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “The neighbourhoods behind Piccadilly train station offer some of the most exciting regeneration opportunities in our city centre to continue our sustainable growth agenda – creating opportunities for new jobs, new homes and new green spaces in the heart of our city. “The East Village Central vision – with new homes, workspace and leisure uses – is an important part this and we have an incredible opportunity to create a vibrant, sustainable destination with a unique sense of place. This area will celebrate the city’s industrial past while creating opportunities for our city’s residents into the future. “And importantly this will be a green neighbourhood with interconnected public spaces that help bring people together, seamlessly connected to the wider city centre, to create a thriving place for everyone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis with its comprehensive plan to build new homes, connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, and drive up standards across the rental sector. By driving an increase in new homes across the region, including affordable, social and net zero housing, and by raising the standards of current rental homes, we will fulfil our Housing First ambition to give everyone access to a safe, secure and affordable home by 2038. This week has already seen a renewed focus on driving up housing standards with the unveiling of the first supporters of the Good Landlord Charter – Greater Manchester’s bold twin-track approach to recognising good practice, while holding rogue landlords to account with increased enforcement activity and fines. New analysis shows that our Brownfield Housing Fund, set up in 2020, has provided grants to deliver over 15,000 homes – with an average of just over 45% being affordable housing. This success, linked to our ambitious plans to boost regeneration across Greater Manchester, will support plans to deliver more social housing than is lost across the region. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “If we are serious about securing the long-term success of Greater Manchester, we need to free ourselves from the grip of the housing crisis. “Because of the decisions we’ve taken, Greater Manchester is now building more affordable homes than at any point since the turn of the millennium. “We need to keep building on that momentum until we reach a tipping point where we build more social homes than we lose. “We’re determined to ensure that every person in Greater Manchester has access to the safe and secure home they need in order to thrive.” Unlocking brownfield land Since 2020, Greater Manchester has invested £135.4m from the Brownfield Housing Fund to redevelop underused brownfield land and deliver thousands of new homes. Brownfield land can be difficult to bring forward for development, owing to issues including soil contamination and the need to remove existing structures. These challenges are often expensive to overcome – and can deter developers from building on brownfield sites. In those five years, we have provided grants delivering more than 15,000 homes – with just over 45 per cent on average being affordable tenure types, compared with an average of 20 per cent for all Greater Manchester developments in that time. A fifth of all homes supported by the Brownfield Housing Fund to date are for social rent. Around a quarter of all homes funded through grants have reached practical completion, ahead of schedule. As part of the Trailblazer devolution deal signed in 2023, Greater Manchester agreed an extension to the Brownfield Housing Fund to accelerate building the good, affordable homes we need. This additional funding has allowed us to continue developing on challenging sites across the region. The Brownfield Housing Fund also puts a greater focus on energy efficiency – helping Greater Manchester deliver the net-zero homes we need to reduce emissions and ease pressure on household energy bills. The Fund has also enabled us to deliver key infrastructure and unlock the full potential of brownfield developments – including at Victoria North, the biggest urban regeneration project in the North of England, set to deliver more than 15,000 new homes, employment space, schools, and GP surgeries. Further funding allocations are anticipated for the summer, supplementing those approved previously and the successful delivery of thousands of new homes to date. Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor and Greater Manchester Lead for Housing First, said: “Through our pioneering Housing First model, we’re ensuring that people with the most complex needs are supported into stable housing with wraparound care. And with the upcoming launch of the UK’s first Good Landlord Charter, we’re raising standards across the rental sector, giving tenants stronger protections and ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester has access to a safe, secure, and decent home. “The Brownfield Housing Fund has been a vital tool in unlocking land for development, allowing us to build thousands of much-needed homes, while protecting our green spaces. With the right investment, we can deliver high-quality, sustainable, affordable housing across our city-region.” Regenerating our towns and building new homes We are using the power of Mayoral Development Corporations to unlock regeneration opportunities to deliver housing across the city region. These pioneering tools bring together local partners and drive forward our ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth. They are statutory bodies, set up by the Mayor, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area. They can take on broad powers including land acquisition, planning and infrastructure functions. These include Old Trafford (part of the proposed Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone), the expanded Stockport MDC and the Northern Gateway MDC (part of Atom Valley). Together, these three alone are expected to deliver 27,250 homes over the next 15 years to help address the housing crisis. We have a proven track record of successfully implementing an MDC in Stockport, where this joined-up approach to regeneration has helped us to deliver well-connected developments, with the right transport links and infrastructure to support thriving communities. Mayoral Development Zones, meanwhile, set out the strategic vision for regeneration over larger parts of the region in which MDCs can sit. Next week (Friday 27 June) will see new proposals discussed by leaders in Greater Manchester for a Mayoral Development Zone to drive forward development in the Western Gateway. The Western Gateway, recognised by the Chancellor for its importance as a key development location, includes Port Salford, Trafford Wharfside, and the Old Trafford Regeneration area, where a Mayoral Development Corporation is proposed. The Mayoral Development Zone will ensure the connections between these major opportunities are understood and the benefits of those links are maximised. Cllr Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth said: “Greater Manchester is leading the way in delivering new homes, jobs and infrastructure, using our devolved powers to drive growth. “We have pioneered
