Manchester City Council is to enter into a landmark joint venture with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of a major plan to build more than 1,600 new properties across the city.

GMPF has been selected through a competitive procurement process as the investment partner for the second phase of development by This City, the Council’s dedicated housing company. The Council’s Executive will consider formal approval of the joint venture at its meeting on 4 June.

This new phase builds on the momentum of This City’s first flagship scheme, No.1 Ancoats Green, which is nearing completion. The development has delivered 129 low-carbon homes next to the new Ancoats Green park. Of these, 30% will be offered at the Manchester Living Rent – a level capped to be fully covered by housing benefit, ensuring they remain genuinely affordable.

-- Advertisement --

The initial pipeline for the second phase of development includes 1,583 homes across a series of Council-owned brownfield sites throughout the city. At least 20% of these properties will be affordable homes for rent, and the programme maintains a strong focus on sustainability, with energy-efficient, low-carbon homes, and community-oriented design.

The most advanced of the second-phase sites is Postal Street in Piccadilly’s Northern Quarter, where a planning application for 126 homes – including 20% affordable at the Manchester Living Rent – is expected in the coming weeks.

Community engagement is already underway in several areas, including Monsall and Longsight, where early conversations with residents about potential developments have begun. Formal consultation is also due to take place later this year with residents of the Grey Mare Lane estate in east Manchester. This project is part of a major regeneration effort expected to deliver hundreds of new affordable homes in Beswick.

The full list of planned developments under This City Phase Two includes:

• Postal Street, Piccadilly: 126 homes

• Hyde Road, Longsight: 85 homes

• Monsall, Harpurhey: 750 homes

• Grey Mare Lane, Ancoats and Beswick: 136 homes

• Downing Street, Ardwick: 166 homes

• Heyrod Street, Piccadilly: 256 homes

• Kirkmanshulme Lane, Longsight: 64 homes

This expansion of the Council's housing programme is expected to make a significant contribution to Manchester's commitment to increasing the supply of high-quality, affordable and sustainable homes.