Plans for a luxury apartment block with views overlooking Strangeways prison in Manchester are set to be approved this week, despite sparking controversy among local residents. The development, proposed by Linear Living, would create 251 'high-quality' homes in a part-24-storey building on the corner of Lord Street and Cheetham Hill Road, just minutes from the Victorian prison.
No Affordable Housing Included
The homes are designed for private sale, with none offered at 'affordable' prices below market rates. A report submitted with the plans confirmed that the scheme 'can’t support affordable housing'. This has drawn criticism from some quarters, as the city grapples with housing affordability issues.
Resident Objections
Fifteen objections have been submitted to the proposals. Residents claim that construction would 'create bottlenecks and congestion' on local roads and would 'block views and create a sense of enclosure' in the area. One objector stated: 'This is going to ruin the stunning view, ruin the area and de-value many of the existing flats. Will there be any compensation, financial or otherwise, for the negative impacts on neighbouring apartments and subsequent their loss of value?'
Development Details
If approved, the development will include four two-bed townhouses, 82 one-bed apartments, and 165 two-bed apartments. The scheme is designed to be 'car free', encouraging residents to use public transport or active travel options. Public transport links are plentiful, with Victoria train station approximately a 15-minute walk away, offering access to trams and trains.
The site is currently empty and surrounded by hoardings, located on the edge of Greengate, an area that has been transformed into a popular city-centre living destination.
Decision and Broader Context
Councillors in Manchester are scheduled to meet on Thursday to decide on the plans, with a recommendation of approval. Meanwhile, separate regeneration projects are set to transform the Strangeways area, with thousands of new homes planned across seven new neighbourhoods. The future of Strangeways prison itself remains uncertain, but council bosses are pushing for a long-term plan to relocate it outside Greater Manchester. In May, 'promising conversations' with the government about relocating the prison were reported.
