'New town' to be created in Manchester with up to 4,500 new homes

A ‘new town’ is coming to Manchester which will ‘celebrate its waterways’ in an ‘important location’.

However, the new town will not exactly be new. Instead, it is ‘one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration prospects’ — with council chiefs hoping to transform the 30 hectares of post-industrial land, redundant infrastructure, and unloved green space into a ‘digitally driven new town within the city’ with up to 4,500 homes.

As if that wasn’t enough, the area already has a lot going for it — including its own tram stop and bus routes, and has extensive sports facilities, a stadium, and indoor arena on its doorstep on one side. On the other is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, with the city centre not too far away.

The area is Holt Town. And its rebirth has taken another step forward following the appointment of Studio Egret West to ‘develop a new plan to help guide the long-term investment plan for this regeneration area’, announced on Friday (March 8).

The revamp will also ‘celebrate the area’s existing waterways which create a true sense of place’, the council says, which will also ‘hark back to the industrial history of the area – a space full of character’. A new green space will also be included in the blueprint, bosses say.

“I’m thrilled with the response we received for this opportunity to support the next stage of Holt Town’s regeneration journey,” said council leader Bev Craig on announcing the news. 

“The successful submission reflects Holt Town’s potential to create a new town in the city for a growing Manchester. It mirrored our own vision and ambition to ensure we celebrate the area’s heritage while creating new opportunities for digital investment, affordable homes and low carbon features that will future proof this new neighbourhood.”

The draft plan will be prepared in the coming months before being released for public feedback later this year.