Manchester City Council is seeking a development partner to deliver new affordable homes and a public square on Moston Lane.
Moston Lane has been highlighted as a key priority for council-led regeneration underpinned by a neighbourhood development framework (NDF) adopted in 2023, which seeks to enhance the area.
One of the central proposals in the NDF was to build a new public square on Moston Lane, creating a focal point for the high street and offer a space for local people to come together.
The council has acquired a number of properties between Pym Street and Hartley Street and once demolished the land will create an opportunity for the new public square.
As part of the regeneration programme, the existing Moston superstore will move from its current location to a car park on Kenyon Lane.
Alongside the new public square, the 2023 framework indicated that the site could also accommodate around 80 new homes, including social and genuinely affordable tenures, with new retail and commercial space on the ground floor.
A site between Watermans Close and Ebsworth Street, which is located to the south of Moston Lane, is also being brought to market as part of the same disposal process.
The framework identified the opportunity to build 30 to 40 new family homes on the site. The successful bidder for the two sites will be chosen by March 2026 followed by consultation on the proposed schemes ahead of the submission of planning applications.
The council has appointed Cushman & Wakefield to lead the search for a development partner.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester City Council is ambitious for Moston and committed to working with the local community to see the improvements local people have been asking for. We have an ambitious plan for Moston and know that Moston Lane has a huge amount of potential. The first projects completed over the summer were a statement of intent from the council that we are serious about investing and improving the area. This comes on top of the recent news of Pride in Place funding going into the wider local area.
“New homes, a new public square, investment into the look and feel of the area, work to attract new businesses and jobs and celebrating community pride are so important. Currently missing is a space that creates a proper focal point on the high street and the new public square will be somewhere local people can come together, put on events and take pride in their district centre. And we also know that this community needs more social rent and genuinely affordable homes – that’s why we are bringing forward two ambitious housing projects to meet demand.
“This is only the start for Moston and our investment in this neighbourhood is part of a citywide commitment to improving high streets across the city, supporting local businesses and economic growth, while creating local spaces our residents want to spend time in.”
