Old Jackson’s Brickworks site in Manchester could host 700 homes and new secondary school

The plans would also see parts of the Rochdale Canal opened up to the public.
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More than 700 homes, a secondary school, a park and a community hub are planned in East Manchester on land left empty and unused since the 1990s.

The former Jackson’s Brickworks site in Newton Heath is set to accommodate hundreds of houses and apartments of which around half would be affordable.

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The plans would also see parts of the Rochdale Canal opened up to the public.

A planning application submitted last week sets out the details of the scheme which is many years in the making and has been welcomed by local councillors.

Plans for a housing development at the former Jackson\'s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing Group.Plans for a housing development at the former Jackson\'s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing Group.
Plans for a housing development at the former Jackson\'s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing Group.

Richard Jones, who is the director of growth at Your Housing Group – the housing association which acquired the 47-acre site off Ten Acres Lane in 2020 – said input from residents has been ‘really important’ in the process.

He said: “Through this planning application we are seeking to bring forward the development of this site, that had previously been used for landfill, for new housing and a secondary school.

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“We have been working closely with Manchester City Council and local councillors to design a scheme that will deliver quality homes with a broad range of house types and tenures, to create a place where people can thrive.

“Input from local residents has been really important, and we have engaged with them throughout this process, carrying out two separate rounds of consultation to inform residents of our proposals and gather their feedback as we move forward.”

The development is planned in two phases – one which features 378 homes and another for 338 homes, including one to four bedroom houses and flats.

Around half of the homes would be affordable, subject to grant funding.

Plans for a housing development at the former Jackson’s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing GroPlans for a housing development at the former Jackson’s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing Gro
Plans for a housing development at the former Jackson’s Brickworks in Newton Heath. Credit: Your Housing Gro
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The first phase features green space in the form of a community park, pocket park and linear park along the Rochdale Canal as well as a community hub.

The second phase would see the secondary school and sports facilities built.

There are 512 car parking spaces planned in the first phase with further details of parking space to be provided as part of the second phase of the scheme.

All parking spaces would be wired up for electric vehicle to be charged and 20 pc of the bays for the apartments featuring charging stations already installed.

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The scheme also offers secure cycle storage for all homes plus visitor spaces.

Miles Platting and Newton Heath councillor John Flanagan welcomed the plans which are set to bring ‘much-needed’ affordable housing to the area.

He said: “This is a culmination of 18 years of hard work that this extremely contaminated land is coming back into use.

“The new secondary school will be a welcome measure for the area and the families there so their children don’t have to travel long distances and have a state-of-the-art high school on their doorstep.

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“All in all, I’m delighted that this is finally coming through to fruition.”

However, the Labour councillor said the new housing development must not adversely affect traffic locally – especially around the existing primary school.

He plans to raise these concerns with planning officers and the developer.

Members of the public are encouraged to view and comment on the plans via the Manchester council website using application reference 133700/FO/2022.