Council and Greater Manchester Pension Fund team up on plans
The plans for a new housing development on Postal Street in Manchester (Image: Planning reports)
New plans have been shared for part of Manchester city centre that has been ‘derelict’ for years.
The Northern Quarter is one of the city’s trendiest corners, known for its mix of nightlife, cafes and food.
But one piece of the area has been left out in recent years.
Hoardings hide the patch of land around Newton Street and Postal Street, which are covered in graffiti.
This part of Manchester has been empty since 2024 when the former building that stood here was knocked down.
A planning application has now been made to develop the land by Manchester council on behalf of its own housing company, This City.
It could be turned into a complex with 126 new apartments along with areas for businesses on the ground floor.
If approved, it would offer future residents all the joys of city-centre living, as well as access to transport with trains, trams and buses within walking distance.
The mix of homes would be 70 one-bed and 56 two-bed apartments. Ground-floor spaces in the building would be made available for businesses.
Computer-generated images published in the planning application show people making the most of outdoor seating around the building, hinting at possible food or drinks venues.
But the council said it remains to be confirmed which type of businesses would be based at the site.
When asked if it could include cafes and bars, the town hall explained that the spaces would be used to ‘enliven’ the ground floor, consistent with its city centre approach.
The homes are being planned so Mancunians across the city can afford to live there. The council said ‘at least’ 20 per cent of the flats would be at Manchester Living Rent rates – below levels set by the government that would cover someone’s rent if they are getting housing benefit.
Each apartment in the new plans would have bike storage and future residents could save on their bills, with the homes designed to ‘low carbon’ standards.
The site between Postal Street, Newton Street and Faraday Street (Image: Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News)
Land off Postal Street has a long history and was once part of Manchester’s industrial story.
A map from 1848, published in the planning reports, showed two warehouses with a cotton mill and tin plates manufacturer on Newton Street and Postal Street, as well as other businesses and also private houses along Dean Street and Faraday Street.
Manchester council said it is entering a joint venture with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund to deliver the plans on land off Postal Street, with further sites earmarked for development in north and east Manchester.
The council, which is led by Labour, has set a target to build at least 36,000 homes up to 2032, including 10,000 ‘genuinely affordable, council and social homes’ – of which at least 3,000 will be in Manchester city centre.
Council leader Bev Craig said: “Manchester has set ambitious targets to build the homes we know the city needs, in particular over 10,000 genuinely affordable social and council homes. One part of this plan is This City – using council-owned brownfield land to build homes, leading the way and on our own terms.
How the development on Postal Street in Manchester could look(Image: Planning reports)
“This is an innovative approach to developing housing in different parts of the city, reacting to the housing needs of the area and diversifying housing options – particularly in the city centre – and creating affordable homes that provide more choice for our residents in where they live.
“Our first This City development at No1 Ancoats Green is now complete with a strong pipeline of schemes across the city being brought forward – all part of our plan for This City to build thousands of homes for Manchester people. We are already delivering on our targets, building more genuinely affordable council and social homes last year than in the last 25 years.”
Councillor Gavin White, executive member for housing and development, said: “Postal Street in the Northern Quarter is a brilliant prospect for new housing. The site has been unused for many years and the homes, including at least 20 per cent that will be capped at the Manchester Living Rent, will help meet demand for quality, sustainable housing in the city centre – while the commercial space will enhance the offer of the area.”
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