Moss Side residents urged to have a say on housing plans

Residents of Moss Side in Manchester are being consulted on plans to deliver 300 new homes it is claimed will tackle local shortages of affordable housing.The plans are presented by Mosscare St Vincent’s (MSV) housing association, working in partnership with Manchester City Council, with the public consultation set to begin this week (22 July).Under the proposals, four sites in Moss Side will provide a blend of apartments and multi-generational family homes.These homes will be available either for rent, shared ownership, or rent to buy. However, it is claimed that a local lettings policy will make sure that the properties remain available for future generations of families in the area.MSV’s chief executive, Charlie Norman said the demand for new homes in Moss Side is “urgent”. The area has more people on the priority list for social housing than any other part of Manchester.“The population has grown by more than 20% in the last decade, but the number of homes, particularly those that local people can afford has not kept pace,” she added.“We have worked with the community on our plans from day one, to ensure that what we are bringing forward not only addresses the acute housing shortage, but also builds on the area’s proud history.“The feedback that we have received to date has shaped the proposals and we encourage all community members, businesses, and stakeholders to participate in this consultation.”The proposed development will see disused land at the site of former nightclub, along with land at several sites on neighbouring streets, transformed into a mix of family homes and apartments.According to the project partners, these sites have been empty and unused for many years and have become hotspots for anti-social behaviour.MSV is also looking to see how it might develop the site of the Greenheys Adult Learning Centre into homes, with the centre’s services being transferred to a new purpose-built facility at one of the sites being developed.Councillor Gavin White, the city council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We have an ambitious plan to work with our local housing associations to increase the amount of affordable housing available across our neighbourhoods.“This exciting development will bring forward hundreds of affordable and sustainable homes where we know that they are needed. But it’s vital that the community is able to have its say and continue to shape the plans that are being developed.”Main image: A computer generated visualisation of one of the proposed developments in Moss Side.Read more: Affordable housing set to make up 25% of institution-owned homes by 2025Are you a social housing professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.