Manchester City Council (MCC) and Muse have unveiled plans to deliver around 400 affordable homes as part of the next phase of the £500m regeneration of Wythenshawe.
The homes, which are being delivered in partnership with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, will be built on the site of former offices and retail space.
Brotherton House office building will be be transformed into 25 townhouses, 80 apartments and around 109 apartments for people in later life and for those living with dementia.
At the top of The Birtles, retail and office space will be demolished and replaced by an apartment building providing 80 one- and two-bedroom apartments with retail space on the ground floor, and the Alpha House office building is also set to be demolished, creating 125 one- and two-bed apartments, including 16 wheelchair accessible apartments.
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We know that good quality, affordable housing is one of the most important things to our residents. Great housing, in places that we can be proud of, is a cornerstone for good health and wellbeing and key to supporting our residents to thrive.
“That’s why we have made sure that the majority of the new homes planned for the transformation of the Civic will be capped at social rent – the most affordable type of housing available to our residents. Which means they will be affordable and made available to as many local people in Wythenshawe as possible.
“We are already moving on this commitment, creating a partnership with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to deliver the first 400 homes – which will eventually grow to 2,000 homes in the coming years. But we also need insight from the community – and this is a great chance to let us know your thoughts. After all this investment is for local people, guided by local people.”
Joe Stockton, development director at Muse, added: “This is a really exciting time for Wythenshawe as we share and develop our plans to bring genuinely affordable homes to the town for local people. Over the last few months, we’ve spoken to lots of people to understand how this once in a generation investment can deliver what they need. We heard the response loud and clear and we’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Wythenshawe Community Housing Group to create the first phase of around 400 affordable homes. With work on Civic due to start later this year, things are really starting to happen.”
Andrea Lowman, executive director of development at Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, said: “This is all about listening and building the right homes for Wythenshawe residents and communities. We’re proud to work alongside MCC and Muse to create genuinely affordable, high-quality homes that reflect what local people have told us they want and need, not just for now but for the future too.”
The joint venture partners have launched a public consultation into the plans with local residents and businesses invited to share their views at a drop-in event on 16 October at Open Space, Unit 10, The Birtles.
