Plans to bring around 350 much needed new homes to Moss Side are being drawn up by Manchester City Council and Mosscare St Vincent’s (MSV).
The council and the housing association are seeking the views of the local community as they explore options to regenerate four sites in the area. Under the proposals, derelict land at the site of the former Reno nightclub and neighbouring sites at Barnhill Street along with land at Westwood Street and Raby Street could be turned into a mix of multigenerational family homes and apartments.
MSV and the council have promised to put the local community, who hold valuable knowledge of the area and its cultural identity and history, at the heart of any proposals that are drawn up.
They will also be looking at how it could develop the site at the Greenheys Adult Learning Centre into homes, with the services currently delivered from Greenheys being transferred to one of the four sites being developed.
A steering group — which brings together groups representing residents from across Moss Side — has already been set up, and MSV will be speaking to the local community over the coming months to discuss the plans and ideas to make sure the rich history of the sites and diversity and culture of the area is reflected in the designs before the proposals are finalised.
Part of the proposals will include a community space that celebrates the areas’ heritage along with options for potential for commercial spaces and other facilities for local people. They will also include options for more suitable facilities for the Greenheys Adult Learning Centre.
Once the plans for the sites have been developed, a formal consultation period on the designs will begin later in the Spring ahead of proposals being submitted to the Council in the Summer.
MSV has operated in the Moss Side area for the past 60 years and currently owns more than 1,100 homes in the area. Rachel O’Connor, Development Director at MSV said: “We feel it’s vital that the local community helps to shape these exciting plans as much as possible.
“Over the next few months, we’ll be out in the community talking to as many people as possible about what they’d like to see and how they can get involved in shaping the proposals. These are exciting times for the Moss Side area and the plans show our continued commitment to investing in the community, its rich heritage and supporting local people.
“We will also be investing millions of pounds in our existing Moss Side properties with our energy efficiency programme. This will ensure homes are safe, warm and affordable for our customers today and in the future.”
There is an urgent need for more new homes in Moss Side. The population in the area has grown by more than 20% in the last decade and there are more people on the priority list for social housing than in any other area in Manchester.
As well as a need for more social housing, there is also a demand for larger homes to meet the needs of growing families and intergenerational households.
Councillor Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development said: “It’s important that we continue to invest in the future of our city by increasing the amount of affordable housing available across our neighbourhoods. MSV have a track record of delivering homes which are not only high quality but highly sustainable, and I am pleased we’re able to move forward together in this partnership.
“In the coming months we will turn to our community in Moss Side to help shape the future of this development, ensuring that their needs are at its heart.”
The area in and around Moss Side has already seen significant investment in recent years, including 175 new homes for Shared Ownership or Rent to Buy in the last four years.
MSV is also investing millions of pounds to carry out major improvements to the energy efficiency of current homes in the area.
MSV is currently in talks with another housing association, Great Places, about a potential merger. Consultation with customers is ongoing through March and April.
MSV Chief Executive Charlie Norman added: “We’re still in conversations about the potential merger and we are excited about the benefits it will bring for our customers, communities and future customers, and the long-term resilience of the merged business. All being well, if the merger goes ahead, it could unlock millions of pounds in new money to invest in communities. Long-term plans such as these show that MSV’s work in areas such as Moss Side and our combined investment in the North will continue to be our priority.”
Header image shows Cllr White with Rachel O’Connor, Development Director at MSV.
