Latimer snaps up site in Piccadilly area for new housing scheme

Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, has acquired a city centre brownfield site with plans to build more than 100 homes.

The 0.44 acre site is part of the Islington Wharf development that sits within Piccadilly Basin – an area that has been the subject of extensive regeneration.

The site is well-placed for walking, cycling and public transport, enabling residents to access the amenities and employment opportunities within the city and to travel further afield via the accessible transport network.

The consented scheme comprises 106 one and two-bedroom apartments, of which 54 will be available through shared ownership, as well as a ground floor retail unit. There will be limited car parking on site alongside good quality secure cycle storage facilities to encourage active travel.

The scheme has been brought forward by developer Waterside Places, a strategic joint venture between Muse Developments and the Canal & River Trust, and will be built by Morgan Sindall Construction.

With planning consent already in place, work on site is expected to begin in the next few months.

The latest scheme follow’s Latimer’s acquisition of part of the former Boddington’s Brewery site in Manchester where it is building 442 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, of which 60% are earmarked as affordable. 

Richard Cook, group director of development for Clarion Housing Group, said: “The acquisition of this site continues our investment in the city of Manchester and demonstrates our commitment to providing new high-quality homes across different tenures and price points to meet demand.

“Our ambition is to deliver more than 50% of the new homes at Islington Wharf through shared ownership, offering an affordable way to get on the property ladder in a city that has so much to offer.

“We’re looking forward to working with Manchester City Council and local people to create a new community that generations to come will call home.”

Tom Webber, Senior Development Surveyor at Waterside Places, said: “We’re proud to exchange this deal with the Latimer team, which will accelerate the delivery of much-needed affordable homes in the heart of Manchester.

“This phase represents the last phase of development here for us and we’re looking forward to getting on site to bring forward this striking scheme of apartments.”