A developer has been chosen to deliver a new 100% affordable neighbourhood at Birley Fields in Hulme following early engagement with local residents and stakeholders to understand their priorities for the site.  Green community space also is at the heart of the development of the new neighbourhood, ensuring improved biodiversity across the site – including a new garden space, while existing trees will be retained and celebrated.   Following a two-stage bidding process, Glenbrook has been named as the preferred developer to take forward an ambitious programme of investment to deliver a new residential-led development of genuinely affordable housing. The final tenure mix is expected to include options such as social rent, affordable/discounted rent and affordable home ownership, with details to be confirmed as proposals are refined.  Engagement in early 2025 with local residents and stakeholders looked to create meaningful and long-term community involvement to help guide future investment at the site.   The process highlighted a number of shared priorities, including:  Current proposals set out an ambition to deliver 293 affordable homes, across a range of housing types to meet local need, alongside new high quality public spaces. These are emerging proposals and may evolve as designs are refined through engagement and the planning process.   The development will take advantage of modern methods of construction and a fabric-first, low-energy design approach – supported by technologies such as air source heat pumps and solar panels, each contributing to a low‑carbon build.   A green heart to the scheme is proposed through the Birley Community Garden – a generous shared space shaped around growing food, informal play spaces, community activity and improved biodiversity.   A clear strategy has been set out for achieving a biodiversity net gain, including a combination of on-site enhancements and underpinned by an ecological assessment.   Extensive planting will create ‘ecological corridors’ through the site that will create a welcoming green environment, enhancing the biodiversity of the site, where existing mature trees will be retained and celebrated. A largely car-free layout, supported by improved walking and cycling routes, reflects the community priorities around safety and clean air.   While shared streets will bring about a day-to-day neighbourliness, supporting a sustainable long-term community of residents – including a new community corner that will provide space for a future creative hub and neighbourhood workspace. The specific uses for this space will be shaped further through ongoing engagement.  The development will also have strong social value credentials, linking in with organisations already active in Hulme to  support local groups and community-led initiatives – including Sow the City that will help design green spaces through the site, and Venture Arts that will contribute a mural within the scheme celebrating local creativity.   The scheme is also expected to create 71 new full-time jobs, support 90 additional roles, and provide a Hulme bursary through Regeneration Brainery to provide an employment pathway into the construction industry for local young people.   Glenbrook will now begin to refine emerging designs ahead of further public engagement, which will include the formation of a Community Engagement Collective that will help provide local insight and guide proposals ahead of a formal planning application.  Cllr Bev Craig OBE, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  “The Birley Fields site has been an underused site for many years, so it’s great to see proposals emerging with the level of ambition and vision that is being developed, as well as a clear commitment to improving biodiversity across the site.   “Importantly, genuinely affordable homes – including social rent homes – are at the heart of this scheme, including quality green spaces and opportunities for the local community to come together. This approach has been guided by local people and it’s important that we continue to engage in the neighbourhood as the plans develop further.   “This is a great scheme for Hulme, one that we know will meet local need and be a real credit to the community.”  Jamie Sutton at Glenbrook, said:  “We’re excited by the opportunity at Birley Fields and delighted to continue our partnership with Manchester City Council as their selected development partner.  “The essence of Hulme is one of resilience and community spirit – a part of our city that has helped shape modern British music, design, and identity. As a developer, we are acutely aware of the responsibility we hold in delivering such an important scheme, one that provides considered architecture and public realm whilst responding to the needs of the wider community.” “ Over the coming months we will be reaching out and consulting with key stakeholders across the ward as we develop our initial concept in preparation of a planning application later this year.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A consultation is now open to gather views and feedback about the next ambitious phase of regeneration in the north Manchester neighbourhood.  A consultation is now open to gather views and feedback about the next ambitious phase of regeneration in the north Manchester neighbourhood.  Collyhurst was chosen as one of the first focus areas for investment as part of the major Victoria North regeneration programme – a partnership between Manchester City Council and FEC – that will see more than 15,000 new homes across seven distinct neighbourhoods in the coming years.   Initial consultation for future regeneration in Collyhurst completed in November 2025, which provided local people detail about the high level principles of future investment in their neighbourhood – including a mix of different types of homes, a focus on affordable homes within a mix of different tenures – including significant social rent homes – alongside green areas and spaces for the community.   Since then, households within the boundary of the proposed phase two area have been directly contacted to discuss their housing requirements to ensure that they are at the centre of developing proposals.  Now, the whole community will have an opportunity to find out more about the emerging proposals before detailed design and planning takes place, taking the local people along on the regeneration journey – from concept to design.   Based on the development being delivered in phase one, current estimates suggest, subject to consultation and detailed design work, that around 550 homes could be built in the phase two area helping to meet the growing demand for quality, affordable housing in the area, alongside a new community park.  Similar to the first phase of development, the ambition – subject to consultation and planning – would be to make sure a significant number of the new homes will be for social rent to meet demand for quality, genuinely affordable homes in Collyhurst. In phase one, 130 of 274 homes were capped at the social rent level.   The consultation will also gather feedback about the mix of housing types required in the community, new walking and cycling routes through the neighbourhood, and features that could be included in an extended area of the new Collyhurst Park space.   Phase One – the story so far  274 homes are currently under construction across two sites in South Collyhurst and Collyhurst Village, where the first 35 homes have now been completed – including the first 10 of 130 new Council homes for social rent.   Completions are now being phased throughout 2026, and some of the new Council homes will also support residents that moved outside of Collyhurst from the now demolished maisonettes to  move back to the community, into new homes in South Collyhurst – fulfilling the Council’s commitment to those residents who were promised they could return should they want to.   Future Investment in Collyhurst  Detailed proposals for future phases of development will be worked through and developed through public consultation on a phased basis. The focus in the coming years will be to develop proposals for Collyhurst Village, while detailed plans for South Collyhurst will then be developed in six to 10 years.  Victoria North has also been shortlisted as a part of the Government’s New Towns Taskforce, which pledges support to deliver major regeneration programmes. This will support the ambition for a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills, which will help unlock future investment in the wider Collyhurst area, alongside new homes, shops, medical facilities and a new school.   Public in-person consultation events  Local people can attend two events in the area to find out more and ask questions.   Tuesday 3 March – Church of the Saviour, Eggington Street, M40 7RN  1.30pm and 6.30pm  Members of the regeneration team will also be available to chat at a pop-in session at Kylie’s Kitchen from 9am to 11am on Wednesday 4 March 2026.  To note: Residents that are currently living within the proposed red line boundary for phase 2 have also been invited to a further session with the regeneration team to answer any specific questions they might have.   The consultation can also be accessed online: www.collyhurst-regeneration.co.uk/home/get-involved  Cllr Bev Craig OBE, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:  “We chose Collyhurst as one of the first areas to invest in as part of the major Victoria North regeneration programme because we could see the massive potential in this neighbourhood – and we wanted to deliver for this community that has waited for so long for investment in their area.   “It’s great to see that the first Council social rent homes are welcoming residents and we’ll see ongoing completions through the rest of the year, which will also mean residents who moved out of the area will be supported back to Collyhurst and into a new home.   “We can now return our attention to the next phase of delivery, which could see another 550 homes built – with a key focus on social rent, Council and genuinely affordable housing – alongside the new and extended Collyhurst park. Longer-term we are working towards the new tram stop at Sandhills, alongside more new housing, shops and local services.   “There’s a huge amount to be excited about in Collyhurst and we would urge local people to take part in the consultation and come down to the drop in events and give us your thoughts about the future of your community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Birmingham City Council is overhauling the way its council housing is maintained, appointing a new group of contractors to take responsibility for long-term repairs and investment across the city. From July 2026, Equans, Wates and Mears will deliver day-to-day repairs, planned maintenance and improvement works across around 60,000 council homes. The appointments form part of a new 10-year framework arrangement, split across four city regions and potentially worth up to £3bn, with an option to extend for a further five years. Under the new framework, Equans will retain one of the three lots it previously held, while Wates has emerged as the largest winner, securing two lots with a combined value of up to £1.75bn over the life of the contracts. Mears completes the new trio of delivery partners. 10-year Birmingham housing maintenance lots City region New partner Previous holder Value East Equans Equans £619m North Wates Equans £451m South Wates Fortem £1.3bn West Central Mears Equans £607m Willmott Dixon-owned Fortem, which has provided housing maintenance services in south Birmingham for 18 years, will exit the programme when its current contract ends this summer. The contracts cover a broad range of services, including responsive repairs, kitchen and bathroom replacements, wider planned maintenance programmes and the preparation of empty homes ready for new tenants. Birmingham City Council said the new delivery model has been shaped by extensive tenant feedback and is intended to provide a more flexible, responsive and modern service. A key feature will be the introduction of a fully digitised repairs journey, giving tenants clearer communication around planned works, timeframes and any changes to appointments, as well as greater ability to rearrange visits. New digital systems will also be used to monitor the condition of homes more effectively and support programmes to improve energy efficiency, helping to make properties warmer and cheaper to heat. Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said the new contracts represent a reset in how repairs and maintenance are delivered and monitored. She added that tenants should see improved communication, more responsive services and continued investment in kitchens, bathrooms and energy efficiency measures across the council’s housing stock.

The Liverpool City Region has unveiled ambitious plans to accelerate the delivery of more than 63,000 new homes through a £2bn housing pipeline designed to unlock stalled sites and drive large-scale regeneration across the region. Led by metro mayor Steve Rotheram, the initiative brings together local authorities, housing associations and delivery partners to identify over 300 development sites capable of supporting new housing. Nearly half of the proposed homes, around 31,000 units, would be delivered within the city of Liverpool itself. The Liverpool City Region Housing Pipeline sets out a coordinated approach to housing delivery, aligning land preparation, infrastructure investment and funding support to speed up development. It follows a recent commitment of £700m for new social and affordable housing across the region, representing the largest investment of its kind locally. The combined authority is being asked to formally approve the work completed to date and endorse the pipeline as a priority framework for directing development funding. Approval would allow detailed preparation of sites to move forward, coordinated alongside wider investment in transport infrastructure, economic development and place-based regeneration. Working jointly with Homes England, the combined authority is already investing £1.3m to bring forward 309 priority sites across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral. This work forms part of a strategic place partnership aimed at tackling viability challenges and accelerating delivery. Members will also be asked to endorse the creation of a new Housing Investment Fund to unlock difficult sites and support early-stage development. Analysis suggests around £1bn of public support will be required to deliver 139 of the identified schemes, with the full pipeline potentially needing up to £2bn in total investment. Rising construction costs, higher borrowing rates and increasingly stringent building standards have created significant viability gaps, particularly on complex urban brownfield sites. To further accelerate delivery, the combined authority is exploring the establishment of a mayoral development corporation, initially focused on a North Docks development area, with the potential to extend the model to other priority regeneration zones. The next phase will involve active engagement with the wider housing market. A meeting scheduled for early February will bring together developers, contractors, investors, housing associations and local authorities, marking the launch of a new Liverpool City Region Developer Forum aimed at building market confidence and supporting delivery. If delivered in full, the pipeline would represent one of the most significant housing and regeneration programmes in the region’s history, reshaping communities and supporting long-term economic growth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals