Studio Egret West’s design for a “woodland town” aims to deliver 20% “genuinely affordable housing”
Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve plans for a new neighbourhood with around 4,500 homes in the city of Manchester next week (January 22).
The Holt Town regeneration will repurpose 74 acres of brownfield land within the city to deliver homes of all tenures, 20% of which will be ‘genuinely affordable’, including social rent properties.
As well as low rise town houses and some taller residential buildings, Holt Town aims to provide a mixed-use area with 30,000 sq ft of commercial space and up to 50 new bars, shops and restaurants, 15 acres of green space, public and pedestrian amenities, a cultural hub and lido.
The council’s strategic director of growth and development has outlined key recommendations in a report to the executive.
Alongside the recommendation to approve the final version of the draft Holt Town Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF), the report recommended the approval of a partnership with the University of Manchester to “explore and apply tangible digital place making proposals”.
Additionally, the executive has been asked to endorse the scheme’s public realm strategy as a key component to deliver on “compatible residential and commercial development opportunities” and “maximised” access to public amenity spaces.
The report also noted that the council will use the NDF to support public funding bids and discussions with private investors. The local authority said it will use its land assets within the area to “prioritise and influence the delivery of new net zero carbon development and affordable homes.”
The executive is expected to give the framework the go-ahead following reportedly positive feedback from the council’s public consultation that took place in August and September 2024. The carbon neutral scheme is referred to as a “woodland town”, in reference to its focus on sustainability, green spaces and eco-friendly modes of transport.
The neighbourhood development framework (NDF) was produced by a team led by architect Studio Egret West, which won a competition to head the scheme in March 2024, and included planner Deloitte, digital engagement specialist Deetu, social value expert Hatch, transport engineer Hilson Moran, digital placemaking consultant MVRDV, and economic analyst Turley.
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Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester.
“This neigbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.
“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”
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