Regeneration scheme to transform Manchester estate with low-carbon social housing

Manchester City Councils executive committee will be asked to approve a transformation masterplan for the regeneration of the Grey Mare Lane Estate in East Manchester at a meeting tomorrow.

The current estate was built 50 years ago, with many of the properties having poor sustainability standards due to their outdated design.

Deindustrialisation in the 1970s and 80s saw population loss in this part of Manchester, leading to the demolition of empty properties in the 1990s. The vacant sites created in this demolition will be re-used to build new affordable housing.

The Council has been working in partnership with One Manchester Housing Association on the Strategic Regeneration Framework for the Grey Mare Lane Estate since 2017.

The proposals for the site include demolishing 124 outdated and poor-quality properties, building 124 new social rent low carbon homes and another 166 mixed tenure homes, retrofitting 150 existing homes, replacing the current community centre, developing a high street, and creating a public realm and environmental enhancements.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: ‘East Manchester has seen some incredible development in the last two decades, which has really transformed this part of the city from a largely disused, former industrial neighbourhood into a globally recognised sport and leisure destination.

‘The Grey Mare Lane estate has stood in the shadow of this development and although there has been key investment in the community in recent years – including a new secondary school, library and leisure centre – this programme of housing and community development will be the first in some decades.

‘Our focus here will be to increase access to social and affordable homes for local people, employing a host of low carbon technologies to ensure the homes are as sustainable as possible – and low cost for residents – alongside a wealth of other neighbourhood improvements.

‘We know this is a long time coming for some residents and we hope these proposals will be welcomed by the community.’

In related news, Manchester City Council’s executive committee are expected to agree £1m of loan funding to secure the future of the historic Withington Baths.

Photo supplied by Manchester City Council