The council’s new plans aim to create affordable housing in the Northern Quarter, but only a portion will be at lower rents.
They’ve got plans for 126 apartments, but here’s the catch: only 20% of them will be available at affordable rents. The rest will be rented out at market rates. The council’s development company, This City, has already knocked down the old buildings on Postal Street to make way for this new project.
The new design shows an eight-storey building with 70 one-bedroom and 56 two-bedroom apartments. Plus, there will be some commercial space on the ground floor.
Gavin White, the executive councillor for housing, mentioned that this is a great way to boost the number of homes on council land. He emphasized that they want to create high-quality, low-carbon homes, with at least 20% capped at the Manchester Living Rent. This is a big deal for residents looking to live in the city center.
The council is encouraging locals to get involved in the consultation process. They want feedback from people who live and work in the area to help shape the final plans.
While it’s a bit disappointing that only a small fraction of the apartments will be affordable, it’s still better than many private developments that offer none. The council hasn’t set a price for the Manchester Living Rent yet, but they say it will be covered by housing benefits.
Other projects by This City are already underway in places like Monsall, Longsight, and Ancoats, which will also include a new park.
If you want to share your thoughts on the Postal Street plans, the public consultation is open until February 2. You can participate online, send an email, or drop by a consultation event on January 23.
