Great Places Housing Group has broken ground on its £21 million Coalbrook Court development on Grey Mare Lane in Beswick, marking the start on site alongside Manchester City Council leaders.

The event was attended by Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development. They were joined by Alison Dean, Chief Executive of Great Places Housing Group, Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth, representatives from Homes England, and delivery partners Caddick Construction.

Coalbrook Court will provide 82 apartments for social rent, offering a mix of one- and two-bedroom homes. Selected ground-floor properties will have private patios, most upper-floor apartments will feature balconies, and residents will benefit from communal landscaped spaces. A new pedestrian link will enhance connectivity between Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road.

-- Advertisement --

The scheme is funded by Great Places, with grant support from Homes England and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's Brownfield Housing Fund. Caddick Construction Limited is the delivery partner, with the wider team including Bowker Sadler (architect), Sutcliffe (civil and structural engineers), Arcus Consulting (employers agent) and Davies Partnership (mechanical and electrical engineers).

Developed in partnership with Manchester City Council, One Manchester and This City, Coalbrook Court is the first project to come forward under the Grey Mare Lane neighbourhood masterplan approved in September 2025. The wider plan will deliver 1,000 new homes, including a significant number of affordable properties, alongside new green spaces.

Coalbrook Court is the first of two proposed Great Places developments in the area, with a planning submission for a second affordable scheme on Sunny Lowry Road expected later this year.

Alison Dean, Chief Executive at Great Places, said: "We're delighted to start work on Coalbrook Court, which will provide much-needed affordable homes and play a key role in the regeneration of Grey Mare Lane. This project reflects our commitment to working in partnership to deliver quality, sustainable housing that meets the needs of local communities.

"We're proud to be working with Manchester City Council, Homes England, and GMCA to bring forward this first phase of development, which will set the tone for future investment in the area."