The Council’s investment programme in Moston is celebrating a major milestone with the announcement of the key partner which will get to work on a transformational £41 million mixed-use scheme on sites at Moston Lane.
The Council’s investment programme in Moston is celebrating a major milestone with the announcement of the key partner which will get to work on a transformational £41 million mixed-use scheme on sites at Moston Lane.
Plans for Moston, launched in 2023, have already delivered significant investment.
Now a partnership led by Aviva and Place Capital Group with support from Homes England has secured the opportunity to invest into Moston local centre with ambitious proposals to deliver almost 150 new homes – with 36% affordable, including social rent, Manchester Living Rent and Shared Ownership.
The provisional plans also include a new NHS GP health centre, new commercial space for shops and delivery of the much-anticipated new public square - the vision for which was se out in the Council's 2023 Development Framework for Moston Lane.
A report being heard by the Council’s Executive (Friday 13 March) will look to approve the disposal of the development sites to the partnership to bring forward this once-in-a-generation district centre investment package. Subject to planning, construction work could start next year.
Last year, the Council acquired sites between Pym Street and Hartley Street for development whilst also concluding a deal to relocate the existing Moston Superstore to make way for the new public square facing onto Moston Lane itself – creating a new heart for the community.
The space is expected to be flexible to allow markets and community events, with new seating, lighting, trees, and planting – helping to attract shoppers and visitors to support local businesses and strengthen the local economy.
Under the proposals, the vacant sites behind Moston Lane would also accommodate around 100 new homes – a mix of apartments perfect for key workers and downsizers, along with family friendly 2,3 and 4 bedroom town houses – including social and genuinely affordable options such as social rent and Manchester Living Rent homes, alongside Shared Ownership properties targeted at providing local residents and first time buyers routes to home ownership.
A further 45 homes are planned for a site between Watermans Close and Ebsworth Street to the south of Moston Lane. The homes would be three- and four-bedroom family houses, helping to meet demand for larger properties in this area.
Cushman and Wakefield has acted as agent for Manchester City Council in the marketing and disposal of the 4.2-acre development opportunity.
The Moston Lane story to date
To date, the multi-million-pound programme across Moston has seen new social housing, new pocket parks and green spaces, junction improvements, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues.
On Moston Lane itself, enhancements and improvements to three pocket parks were completed last year alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub.
Additionally, over £3m of government grant funding has been invested to build 83 new social and affordable homes for Moston residents in recent years, including 17 Rent to Buy homes on the Moston Campus scheme completed last year. More than 100 more affordable homes are in the pipeline and set to be delivered in Moston in the next few years, over and above the affordable homes that will be built as part of this Moston Lane scheme.
Moston will also benefit from part of £20m Pride in Place funding to be allocated to community projects and initiatives over the next decade.
The Pride in Place programme aims to reshape our neighbourhoods over the next ten years, delivering funding into areas which matter the most to local people.
What this could mean is more money to make our streets safer, to rejuvenate our district centres, improve and enhance community spaces and support new events and activities for residents.
This is an additional boost to Manchester City Council’s existing plans to improve our neighbourhoods.
Local businesses in Moston are already being given support through direct engagement via the Business Growth Hub, ensuring that they can be part of the major growth in their community and take advantage of opportunities provided by the Council’s investment.
To give residents and businesses a voice in the ongoing regeneration of Moston Lane the Council is creating a new advisory group, the Moston Lane Regeneration Forum. Chaired by local councillor Paula Appleby, the group will help the council decide on local priorities and how to direct future investment in the area. The group will also work with the appointed developer and input into the design of the new square and public realm.
The Moston Lane regeneration programme is part of the Council’s city-wide High Street Investment programme.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Moston people have told us about the pride and passion they have for their community - we are matching that with a once-in-a-generation plan to boost the area.
“Since late 2023 when we announced our plans, we have got on with delivering. A multi-million-pound programme across Moston has seen new social housing, new pocket parks and green spaces, junction improvements, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues. On Moston Lane itself, enhancements and improvements to three pocket parks were completed last year alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub.
“We’ve built more than 100 genuinely affordable homes and there are over 100 more in the pipeline before we even take this new Moston Lane scheme into account. Moston will also benefit from part of £20m Pride in Place funding to be allocated to community projects and initiatives over the next decade.
“This scheme will transform Moston Lane for the better. It’s part of our commitment to make Moston a place everyone is proud to call home.”
David Smith-Milne, CEO, Place Capital Group, said: “The regeneration of Moston is a key pillar of Manchester's high street investment strategy and we are delighted to have been selected to play a part in that.
“With our partners Homes England and Aviva, we are looking forward to partnering with Manchester City Council to build beautiful new homes, anchored around a new public square, health facilities, improved shopping and neighbourly community level infrastructure, including communal gardens and play facilities for children.
“Moston is an energetic, diverse and vibrant district centre in the city and our work will make it even more so. “