A CRUMBLING housing estate in a major UK city could be given a new lease of life.
Thirty years after it was almost entirely demolished, a Manchester site is being eyed for new homes.
Located just a stone’s throw from a Metrolink stop providing a direct link to the city centre, these abandoned houses are loomed over by a glue factory.
The former Eccleshall Street estate, located within sight of Manchester City’s training ground, was once home to 234 terraced houses.
Gavin White, executive councillor for housing recalled how the estate was once “back-to-back” before majority of the homeswere demolished three decades ago.
But now the site has a chance to return to its thriving ’90s era, with families set to take up residence, under new council plans.
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Manchester City Council, which owns much of the 20.6 hectare site, wants to build 1,000 “canalside” homes in “four to six storey” blocks.
Councillor White discussed proposals “for redevelopment over the next few years to help meet demand for quality, affordable housing in the area”.
“An initial masterplanning process has been undertaken that suggests the area has capacity for around 1,000 new homes and infrastructure – with a mix of affordable homes, supported housing, family homes, and apartment living,” he continued.
“The expectation would be to build a new local centre and park to create a focal point for the community, with the potential for new canal frontage on to the Ashton Canal.”
Manchester City Council previously shared plans for 400 homes on the site in the early 2000s, however the nearby glue factory became an issue.
While the council spent £14 million and had even convinced Greggs to move operations to the area, Health and Safety Executive eventually determined houses could not be built next to the chemical plant in 2007.
Now, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands development will progress at the site whether or not the Evonik adhesive plant next door moves away, with an area around the factory left vacant if it remains.
Details of how the new homes may look, or be laid out, are set to be released later in 2026.