Manchester Life apartments scheme goes before city councillors

A PLANNING application for 302 privately rented apartments, retail units and a restaurant  across three buildings goes before Manchester city councillors tomorrow (Thursday).

Members of the planning committee will be voting on development company Manchester Life’s submission for the development on land at New Union Street, New Islington.

The three buildings will be eight, nine and storey on the site bounded by New Union Street to the north, the Rochdale Canal to the west and the New Islington Marina to the south.

Manchester Life Development Company is a joint venture between Manchester City Council and the Abu Dhabi United Group entrusted to drive forward the development of Ancoats and New Islington.

The scheme is part of Manchester Life’s £1bn plan to build 6,000 homes in run down areas of the city over the next decade, announced last year.

The New Islington Free School, a new primary school to serve the local area, is also to be located along the northern edge of the canal.

The site is within 15 minutes walk of the city centre and  near the Metrolink on Pollard StreetThe application is for full planning permission.

Also included in the plan is space for 129 parking spaces.

The submission document says that the East Manchester Regeneration Team has not objections to the proposal.
 
“The Ancoats and New Islington Neighbourhood Development Framework has identified the area as one that has the potential to deliver accommodation to meet the growing population in Manchester,” it said.

“This development will provide a number of high quality units that wil help meet this demand.”

And it goes on: “Given there is an adequate supply of social market rent within the area, the city would wish to see these properties let at market rent and encourage a wider social mix into the Ancoats and New Islington area.”