Property round-up: The Waterside; Pugh; Octopus Real Estate; Architecture Unknown; Hatch; Edward Mellor; JVNorth; FWP; Blueoak Estates; Dérive; Seddon; Savills
Cushman & Wakefield and DI Properties Development & Investments have been appointed to bring to market The Waterside, a premium residential development site on Springfield Lane in Manchester city centre.
The freehold site sits in 1.5 acres, and benefits from a resolution to grant planning permission for 183 fully private residential units.
With direct access onto Trinity Way (A6042), which forms part of Manchester’s inner ring road, the site is within 1.5 miles of the M602 motorway.
It is within short walking distance of Manchester’s shops, amenities, and transport links, including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Manchester Victoria Station, the AO Arena and Deansgate. Manchester Airport, the UK’s third busiest airport offering travel to almost 200 destinations, is a 20-minute drive.
The Waterside is one of several high profile residential developments, either under construction or proposed, which are set to transform the area.
Real estate services firms Cushman & Wakefield and joint agent DI Properties are acting for current owners Si Si Investments Limited throughout the sale.
Bruce Poizer, Partner, Capital Markets UK at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “This presents an exceptional opportunity to acquire a prime freehold residential development site. It will offer 183 units across one-, two-, three-bed and townhouse apartments in a riverside setting.
“It will also benefit from direct access to all the amenities that Manchester city centre has to offer.
“We expect this site will attract strong interest from both build-to-rent and build-to-sell developers due to the region’s increasing popularity and appeal. Manchester is the UK’s fastest growing metropolitan area, with an outstanding graduate retention rate of more than 50%.”
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Former probation centre, ringed in red
The former probation centre on Drake Street in Rochdale is to go up for auction this month, with a £425,000 guide price.
The two adjoined, mid-terraced, 19th century buildings, close to Rochdale Infirmary, will feature among more than 120 other properties and plots of land in the next online property auction held by Pugh, part of Eddisons, on February 26. The properties are being sold on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.
Auctioneers say the two buildings, extending to 6,000 sq ft in total, have potential for redevelopment.
Edward Feather, a director at Pugh, said: “These substantial and very handsome properties have been altered over the years to provide office space for the probation centre. With accommodation across three floors, as well as a basement, there are a range of new uses they could now be put to with a sensitive redevelopment plan.
“The location, just a stone’s throw from a major hospital, also offers up a range of potential options for investors and developers, subject to any buyer obtaining the necessary planning consent.”
The 193-195 Drake Street property also has a car park area to the rear with space for 12 vehicles.
The property will be available in Pugh’s online auction. Bidding opens on February 25, and closes the next day.
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CGI of Lunesdale Rise
Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments and a UK specialist real estate lender and investor, has provided a £7.1m loan facility to Russell Armer by Genesis Homes for the development of a sustainable housing project in Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria.
The facility will finance the development of 34 homes – 12 of which will be affordable – at Lunesdale Rise. The development, which is an extension of the previous phase Oakfield Park, will feature green homes built with locally sourced material, and the housebuilder will prioritise fabric-first energy efficiency.
Additional features include PV panels, a source control sustainable drainage system, public open space, and landscaped gardens.
The homes will contribute to the affordable housing quota for the area and use local suppliers and contractors where possible.
Jenna Hollins, Investment Manager, Octopus Real Estate, said: “At Octopus Real Estate, we are committed to supporting developers who strive to deliver best-in-class new homes that are clean, green, and meet local demand. This project is a great demonstration of our shared commitment to building more sustainable communities.”
John Blue, Sales and Land Director, Genesis Homes, said: “Working with Octopus Real Estate provides us with the opportunity to meet the high demand in this area, and we’re excited to showcase the high specification and considered designs of our homes in the coming weeks.”
The loan was brokered by Nick Holding Parsons at Lexi Finance.
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CGI of banquet hall plans
Community architects, Architecture Unknown, has submitted plans to reimagine the former Middleton Conservative Club as a banqueting hall and community space.
The elaborate plans, submitted on behalf of local business, Kohinoor Banqueting, show the site transformed into a wedding venue and multi-use function space for the community.
The planning proposal includes internal refurbishments and renovation of the existing heritage façade, as well as a double storey contemporary brick extension.
The proposed transformation will see the disused area at the back of the building adapted into a car park, containing new plants, green swales and a green-wall with the promise to retain existing trees and where possible improve the biodiversity of the site.
In 2022, The Middleton Town Masterplan aimed to bring buildings in the town back to life through creative reuse, enhancing facades and shop fronts. The project was aimed at driving footfall to the area.
The modern and contemporary extension, on 77 Long Street, would take cues from the existing Middleton Conservative Club and the architecture in the surrounding area.
Director, Daniel Kelso from Architecture Unknown, said: “The plans for 77 Long Street are contemporary and fresh, nodding respectfully to the building’s heritage while making it fit for purpose – an exciting building that will service the community for events and celebrations, for many years to come.
“From conception to plans, it has been a collaborative process with the client to ensure we can put forward a beautiful space Middleton town can be proud of. There has been a real focus in maintaining the green space the local community loves, whilst improving access and making the building a go-to destination for events.”
Architecture Unknown is a Manchester-based practice founded by Charlie Butterwick and Daniel Kelso.
The development sits within Middleton Town and falls under the influence of the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council.
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Neil Walmsley
Manchester-based global consultancy, Hatch, has been appointed to provide strategic and economic technical support and analysis to Homes England through to 2028.
Running until 2028, the £15m Homes England Strategic Research, Economics and Evaluation (SREE) Framework aims to provide the robust and accessible research needed to underpin the government agency’s strategic plan. The agency can use the framework to develop a strong evidence base for future investment and to assess impact and effectiveness of past programmes.
Hatch, along with 15 other consultants, will future gaze and provide strategic advice to the public body to ensure it continues to perform well and deliver value.
Neil Walmsley, regional director UK/Europe, Urban Solutions at Hatch, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to extend our historic relationship with Homes England following this latest appointment to the SREE Framework.
“Through a series of business cases and evaluations under the previous framework we were able to engage with stakeholders across local government and the regeneration community, to truly understand Homes England’s reach and impact. We’re proud that the work we do supports the agency to drive effective housing delivery and we are delighted to have been re-appointed.”
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The lettings book of Manchester-based Edward Mellor has been acquired by Scottish property firm, Lomond, for an undisclosed sum.
After being founded in a single office in Denton in 1983, the business has grown to 140 staff across 12 offices. Its letting arm has around 900 properties under management.
The estate agency operates under the Julian Wadden and Thornley Groves brands. Its managing director, Peter Barlow, said: “We are confident that Lomond is the ideal partner to take our Lettings business to new heights and to continue to support our staff and customers.
“Whilst it’s never easy to hand over a part of our business, we are excited about the opportunities on the horizon for our Estate Agency, Auctioneering and Financial Services Divisions, which are the heart of our business.
“This move will enable us to channel our time, resources, and management expertise into driving the technological transformation that the property sector urgently needs.”
Lomond CEO, Ed Phillips, said: “Edward Mellor is an outstanding business and one that still operates with true family-owned values at its core, which is rare to find in this day and age. This is a deal that strengthens our presence within the region considerably.”
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Sean Stafford
SME builders in the North West are being encouraged to apply for places on a social housebuilding consortium’s new £500m framework.
JV North, which has 14 housing association and local authority members, will build in the region of 3,000 homes over the course of the framework.
Contractors are now being sought for three lots that are valued at up to £4m, £4m to £12m and £12m and above.
JV North says the first lot with schemes, valued at up to £4m, is specifically aimed at SME builders who work in and around Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.
For the new four year framework that starts in August, the lot valued at up to £4m will see approximately 10 contractors appointed to the framework and work awarded following simple mini-tender exercises for each scheme.
Saffer Cooper Consultancy runs JV North’s development programme and is managing the procurement of the new framework.
Director, Sean Stafford, said: “SME builders play a key role in JV North being the largest single social housebuilder in the North West, delivering over a fifth of homes in the region each year.
“The lot with schemes valued at up to £4m is a perfect fit for SME housebuilding companies with a range of sites to work on from a handful of properties to developments of around 20 homes.”
The Invitation To Tender is now live on the Delta eSourcing portal: JV North Contractors Framework | Plus Dane Housing Procurement Portal.
The closing date for submissions is March 3, with successful bidders announced May 19, before the framework starts on August 2.
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Tameside Hospital
Architect, design and masterplanning practice, FWP’s specialist mental health team, is working with Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust to transform its Health-Based Places of Safety (HBPoS).
The work to revamp the trust’s ‘S136 suites’ – where someone needing urgent mental health care can be assessed for onward treatment planning – is now entering its final phase.
The trust is investing £1.3m in improving and expanding its S136 services and Preston-based FWP has been commissioned to deliver major alterations and refurbishments to facilities across three hospitals.
The first two phases of the project are now complete. The S136 suite at Fairfield Hospital in Bury has been refurbished and work at Tameside Hospital has seen an existing suite revamped and a new second facility created.
The third phase, which will see the refurbishment of the S136 suite at The Royal Oldham Hospital, is under way, with work onsite set to be completed in March by contractor John Turner Construction.
David Simmons, FWP senior associate partner, said: “We have worked with the trust on the layout and design to promote feelings of calmness and serenity and the creation of outdoor spaces also allows fresh air and a change of environment to encourage the patient to be calm and lower their anxiety.”
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CGI of Sale Point scheme
Chester-based luxury and sustainable housebuilder, Blueoak Estates, has begun work at Sale Point, a £20m project that sees the transformation of a former commercial office building on Washway Road in Sale, into 79 high-end apartments.
Sale Point, built in the 1970’s, spans an impressive 50,326 sq ft, arranged over ground and five upper floors. The new homes feature a combination of one- and two-bedroom apartments, all benefiting from luxury fixtures and fittings, on-site parking, lift access and excellent transport links.
Sitting only four minutes away from the nearest Metro Link, Sale Point offers easy and direct access into the city centre. A show home is set to launch in May this year and the scheme’s first residents will begin to move in from September 2025.
Adding further to the scheme’s sustainability credentials, Blueoak is set to enhance the energy performance of the building using solar panels and a kinetic energy recovery heat pump system.
Iain MacLean, Managing Director of Blueoak Estates, said: “It’s great to see work begin at Sale Point, a really impressive scheme that offers quality living within a good location, catering largely to the first-time buyer, keen to be part of the merging Sale property market.”
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CGI of Bridgewater Street
Salford City Council has approved plans for two new developments designed by Buttress Architects, providing vital homes for single homeless people.
The accommodation, delivered in partnership with Simon Fenton Partnership for Dérive, Salford Council’s local housing company, will be located on Bridgewater Street and Tully Street and will support care leavers and young people moving onto independent living.
The Single Homeless Accommodation Programme (SHAP) developments will deliver high quality one-bedroom apartments designed to act as a pathway to settled accommodation. Each home will provide residents with their own private entrance, large windows for natural light, and a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging.
The scheme, at Bridgewater Street, will create eight homes, while the Tully Street development will provide 10, forming an inclusive neighbourhood that integrates with the surrounding urban fabric. Situated close to bus routes and local amenities, the developments will transform underutilised sites into thriving communities.
Buttress employed innovative virtual reality technology during public consultations to fine-tune design proposals and gain a deeper understanding of how residents will experience their homes. Additionally, collaboration with youth homelessness charity Depaul UK helped shape the designs to meet the specific needs of the homeless community.
Ben Tabiner, Associate at Buttress, said: “These homes have been designed to provide far more than just a roof over someone’s head – they offer stability, security, and a foundation for young people to build independent futures.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, said: “The approval of both these affordable homes developments is a significant step forward in our plans to provide the affordable and social homes which local people need and deserve.”
Architectural details such as active frontages with private entrances and carefully chosen materials contribute to the high quality character of the scheme. While the Bridgewater Street development will use red brick in keeping with Salford’s architectural heritage, the Tully Street homes will introduce a buff-coloured brick to create a distinct identity suited to the surrounding landscape.
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Work begins on School Street site
Work has started on a new housing site that will bring 90 new homes to Radcliffe.
The School Street site, which was once the former Riverside High School, will be brought back into use by developer Hive Homes and housebuilder Seddon Housing Partnerships.
The redevelopment will cost £15.7m to deliver and is expected to be completed in July 2027.
Hive Homes will build 68 of the homes for full open market sale, with an additional 22 being made available as Affordable Housing.
During the design phase of this project, Seddon worked with Hive Homes and their consultants to deliver new standard house types.
Peter Jackson, Managing Director at Seddon, said: “It’s encouraging to see work beginning at School Street and Seddon is proud to be playing a role in the future of this important site. We’re sure many local residents will have fond memories of the school, and by bringing this site back to life, people will get to make many more.”
Ed Milner, Managing Director of Hive Homes, said this is the third development scheme it has worked with Seddon on.
Photovoltaic panels will be installed on all plots, further enhancing the site’s sustainability.
The section 106 agreement signed by Hive Homes will allocate nearly £250,000 for improvements to local amenities. Cams Lane Athletics Track; Close Park football facilities; Outwood football facilities; Radcliffe Cemetery and Radcliffe town centre pocket park are all set to receive upgrades as a result.
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Windermere School Junior School
International real estate advisor, Savills, has been appointed by Windermere School to bring to market the former Junior School on its Elleray Estate, for an undisclosed sum.
Situated above Lake Windermere, the unique 20-acre estate offers panoramic views of the Langdale Fells as well as the lake itself. Comprising the substantial school building spanning four floors and totalling 27,038 sq ft, the site also offers three additional cabin classrooms and expansive recreational areas including tennis courts and playing fields as well as vast open green spaces, providing a rare level of seclusion and natural beauty.
Strategically positioned close to Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, Savills said the location offers both tranquility and accessibility – a combination that is increasingly hard to find.
Tom Cunningham, UK Regional Director, Hotel Capital Markets, Savills Manchester, said: “Opportunities like this in Windermere are incredibly rare and virtually unheard of. With its stunning setting and substantial scale, this site presents an extraordinary range of possibilities and potential for commercial or private buyers including hospitality, leisure, private residential or continued education, subject to planning consents.
“Given the truly unique opportunity, we expect strong competition from a variety of prospective buyers.”
This sale follows Windermere School’s strategic relocation of its Junior School to its nearby Browhead Estate, which already houses the Senior School, set to be completed in early 2025.
