£100m housing scheme approved, with specific condition on traffic access

A bid to build 716 new homes was approved by Manchester City Council planning committee this afternoon (October 20), with a condition on traffic access to safeguard school pupils.Nuvu Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Your Housing Group, wants to develop the residential scheme at the former Jackson’s Brickworks site in Newton Heath, along with a new secondary school, a park, a community hub, and plans to open up sections of the Rochdale Canal as part of its £100m proposals.The scheme would incorporate public realm in the form of pocket parks, a community park, and landscaping along the canal towpath, together with improved access to the towpath for pedestrian and cyclists.The 47-acre site, which has lain empty for around three decades, was acquired by Your Housing Group from Ten Acres Lane in 2020.Nuvu’s plans were considered by the committee last month but deferred, ahead of a site visit which took place this morning, due to concerns that the works would be unsafe for children walking to school.During last month’s planning meeting, Cllr John Flanagan, ward councillor for Miles Platting and Newton Heath, voiced his concerns about safe access for children walking to the new school planned nearby.He pointed out safety concerns for children walking through a construction site and was also concerned the development didn’t include amenities such as GP surgery and dentists.However, the applicant, told the meeting today that the scheme has been altered.Cllr Flanagan welcomed the remediation of the contaminated site, but claimed there were still plans to open up road access to the school and called for a condition that no traffic is allowed on Hallam Road.And he added: “I am disappointed a developer of this size cannot converse with local councillors.”Planning officer, Des Jones, assured the committee that the new school will have a specific travel plan.Officers had indicated they were minded to approve the application, subject to legal agreements, and Cllr Paul Andrews, ward councillor for Baguley, moved the motion to approve, but with the condition to close Hallam Road to pedestrians, cyclists and transport.The motion was carried with six votes in favour and three abstentions.