Manchester moves to clear path for 256-home scheme 

The city council is to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire land in Ancoats that is required to deliver Manchester Life’s Phoenix Ironworks development. 

Plans for the 256-home project were unveiled in May and, if approved, would see the redevelopment of a clutch of industrial buildings bound by Naval Street to the north, Poland Street to the east, Jersey Street to the south and Radium Street to the west. 

Most of the land and buildings on the site are owned by the city council or Phoenix Ironworks Developments – which is wholly owned by Manchester Life – already.  

However, there are two plots within the site that are unregistered and need to be acquired so that Manchester Life has a clean title prior to bringing the development forward. 

Several rights of way, rent charges, and restrictive covenants also need to be removed through the CPO process. 

Manchester City Council is seeking executive approval to pull the trigger on the CPO. 

A statement outlining the rationale behind the CPO states that not acquiring the outstanding plots risks “failure to achieve regeneration that will adversely affect the potential for further investment in the wider area”. 

All costs associated with the CPO will be met by Phoenix Ironworks Developments, according to an executive report. 

Most of the 256 homes proposed by Manchester Life will be one- and two-bedroom apartments, but the scheme also includes several three-bed apartments, as well as townhouses and duplexes. 

Amenities for residents would include quiet working areas, a lounge, a gym, and a private courtyard. There would also be 256 cycle storage spaces and disabled parking. The nearby Ancoats Mobility Hub would supply additional car parking for residents and guests. 

Manchester Life has delivered nearly 1,500 homes in the Ancoats and New Islington areas of Manchester, including transforming the grade two star-listed Murrays’ Mills into apartments. 

Earlier this year, the company succeeded in securing planning permission for 190-flat Jersey Wharf project, located just a stone throw’s away from Phoenix Ironworks. 

Manchester Life is a joint venture between the city council and Acre Real Estate. The latter is owned by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the majority shareholder of Manchester City Football Club.