Flats and a ‘woodland garden’ planned for Strangeways warehouse site

Site sits in area earmarked for huge regeneration

Massive changes could soon be on the way in Strangeways with plans for a major new housing development for more than 300 people.

An application has been made to Manchester council to build a part 20-storey building with 189 homes at 24 Dutton Street. It is located close to Strangeways prison.

The proposals fall into an area designated for major regeneration, known as the Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework, a joint project from Manchester and Salford councils.

Planning reports suggest that the site at Dutton Street could accommodate up to 328 new residents in total, and pump £1.9m into the local area through spending from future occupiers.

The site is based a short distance from Victoria train station and wider Manchester city centre.

There is a warehouse building currently on the land which is used by Pure Padel under a temporary agreement.

The new proposals could see that building knocked down to make way for the residential tower block, according to planning reports.

If approved, it would create a mix of one and two-bedroom flats, as well as two-bedroom townhouses on the land.

That’s along with plans to make a private ‘woodland garden’ and resident lounges overlooking the open space.

Other features included in the blueprint are a communal roof terrace of level ten, and a ‘productive’ roof terrace on level 14 with growing spaces and rainwater harvesting.

The scheme has been designed to be ‘car free’ apart from some disabled parking along Robert Street.

Surrounding the current building are a mix of light industrial units as well as different shops.

The Strangeways area of Manchester is expected to undergo massive changes in future years thanks to the wider regeneration plans.

Central to the blueprint for the neighbourhood is the future of Strangeways prison, officially known as HMP Manchester.

In 2022, Manchester council wrote to the government arguing that the prison was ‘coming to the end of its natural lifespan’ and was not suitable for the ‘significant remodelling and expansion’ needed to bring it up to modern-day standards.

The Manchester council leader, Coun Bev Craig, said its current location was acting as a ‘barrier to growth and development which could bring new jobs, much-needed houses and green space.’

Recent reports suggested that conversations are taking place with the government about potentially relocating the prison.

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