A quartet of Buttress schemes in Ancoats have been granted planning permission.
The schemes – Downley Drive, Ancoats Dispensary, Eliza Yard and Ancoats Mobility Hub – form part of a coordinated phase of development across underused sites in the Poland Street area of Ancoats and New Islington and aim to continue the successful regeneration of the area into a sustainable neighbourhood.
Designed in close consultation with the community, together, the schemes will deliver more than 200 new homes and create more space for local businesses and community activities.
Eliza Yard and Ancoats Mobility Hub have been designed for Manchester Life Strategic Development Company Limited on behalf of Manchester City Council, Ancoats Dispensary and Eliza Yard have been developed for Great Places Housing Group.
Eliza Yard: Located on the corner of Poland Street and Jersey Street, this scheme will reuse an existing surface car park to create a unique 118-unit new residential location. The proposals include a diverse range of homes ranging from one to three-bedroom apartments, catering for the needs of families, young professionals, the elderly and empty-nesters. At ground floor level, 5,800 sq ft of commercial space will also be created.
Ancoats Mobility Hub: The scheme will embed green transport choices, smart logistics, and shared services into the heart of the neighbourhood. Included in the plans are electric car spaces, secure cycle spaces, showers, and an electric car-sharing club, giving residents greener transport options. A delivery depot will also be housed within the site to receive local deliveries and parcels, and to reduce the travel of delivery vehicles through the neighbourhood by 1200km a day. At ground floor level, a large community café will be created which will face onto a significant area of new public realm.
Ancoats Dispensary: This scheme involves the redevelopment of the derelict Grade II listed former hospital site into 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments to the area, which will be available for affordable rent. Elements of the original building, including the Old Mill Street and Lampwick Lane facades, have been incorporated into the design to protect as much as the building's heritage and legacy as possible.
Downley Drive: Located on of St Vincent Street and Woodward Place, Downley Drive will deliver 68 affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom homes including 45 apartments, 23 houses as well as a new area of landscaped public realm. Designed to complement the established residential properties nearby as well as its setting next to the Rochdale Canal, the scheme will support families and residents at different stages of life contributing to the creation of a diverse and sustainable neighbourhood.
Associate Director, Matthew Burl, said: “We are delighted to have received planning for these four schemes. Collectively, they will ensure that Ancoats and New Islington continue to grow as a sustainable urban community, supported by high quality homes, shared resources, and new green spaces.
Director, Andy Avery, added: “This success is testament to the strong working relationship between ourselves, Manchester Life Development Company, Great Places, and the wider project team. It has been a great opportunity to work collectively to create a shared vision for the neighbourhoods and we look forward to our continued involvement in realising the schemes.”
