Multimillion-pound affordable homes redevelopment starts

Work has officially started on the £10m redevelopment of the iconic former Ancoats Dispensary into affordable homes.Cllr Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, and Beswick councillor, Cllr Majid Dar were joined by Great Places’ chief executive Matthew Harrison at the site of the former hospital, to mark the launch.The plot is set to be transformed into 39 one and two bed apartments available for affordable rent.The plans, brought forward in partnership with Manchester City Council, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Homes England, and Contractors Eric Wright, will look to preserve as much of the original grade II-listed facade as possible. The design by Buttress Architects focuses on preserving the Old Mill Street and Lampwick Lane facades. Great Places has worked on the proposals with a variety of stakeholders, including Manchester Life, who have been instrumental in restarting the neighbourhood’s regeneration since 2014, as well as the Ancoats Dispensary Trust. The development is the first project in a new, coordinated phase by Great Places, Manchester City Council and Manchester Life to implement more than 400 new homes for a broad range of housing needs.Work is scheduled to be completed in December 2023.