Greenlight for 213-apartment scheme in Manchester’s New Islington area

A mixed-use canalside scheme in Manchester that will deliver hundreds of new homes has been given the go ahead.

Architecture, planning and design practice CallisonRTKL secured the greenlight for Lampwick, a development in the New Islington area composed of 213 rental apartments and 3,299 sq ft of commercial space.

Located on a two-acre plot on Old Mill Street, the scheme is being brought forward by regeneration firm Manchester Life Development Company, which currently has 1,000 homes in development over six sites across Ancoats.

Lampwick will be bound by the Ashton Canal Basin and Lampwick arm of the Canal Basin, comprising 67 one-bedroom, 135 two-bedroom and 11 three-bedroom apartments in three linked blocks, the largest of which will rise to 10 storeys.

The development will also feature 64 car parking spaces and a residents’ terrace with views of the canal.

Commercial space at the site will be split into a maximum of four units.

Lampwick is among the first regional developments to be officially designed and approved under the Manchester Quality Design Guidance, introduced by Manchester City Council earlier this year.

John Badman, CallisonRTKL’s director of residential, said: “Rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist, which would severely restrict development, [the Manchester Quality Design Guidance] provides adaptable guidelines, which gives developers more flexibility and choice based on location, density, demographics, and cultural and geographic variables.

“It’s an approach which has sparked interest from other councils up and down the country seeking to follow Manchester’s lead.”

He continued: “Although the design of all of Manchester Life’s sites reflects the thinking behind the guidance, Lampwick is the first to officially address the key principles to ensure residents benefit from high quality, well managed and environmentally-friendly homes in a community environment close to all local amenities.

“Achieving planning consent not only underlines the quality of the Lampwick scheme but Manchester’s commitment to delivering housing that residents can be proud of across the city.”

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