The ‘new town’ earmarked as one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration projects

However, the Manchester new town will not exactly be new.

Instead, it is ‘one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration prospects’ — with council chiefs hoping to transform the 30 hectares of post-industrial land, redundant infrastructure, and unloved green space into a ‘digitally driven new town within the city’ with up to 4,500 homes.

As if that wasn’t enough, the area already has a lot going for it — including its own tram stop and bus routes, and has extensive sports facilities, a stadium, and indoor arena on its doorstep on one side.

On the other is one of the world’s coolest neighbourhoods, with the city centre not too far away.

Holt Town’s regeneration

The area is Holt Town. And its rebirth has taken another step forward following the appointment of Studio Egret West to ‘develop a new plan to help guide the long-term investment plan for this regeneration area’.

Manchester City Council is working with Homes England and GMCA to develop a new plan to help guide the long-term investment plan for this regeneration area.

The procurement competition was launched in October 2023, attracting international interest and a range of high-quality bids.

The winning submission reflected a creative and energetic approach to the regeneration opportunity, while also showing demonstrable experience of Manchester’s development and planning landscape – and an ambition that matched the Council’s vision.

Studio Egret West will be leading a multi-disciplinary team which includes Deloitte, MVRDV, Turley, AKT II, Hilson Moran, Deetu and Hatch, which will bring a blend of local, national and international experience to the programme.

What have they got planned?

The scope of the plan will cover 30ha of post-industrial brownfield land, alongside redundant infrastructure, historic canals and underused heritage assets.

The vision is to transform the area into a sustainable, digitally-driven new town within the city, with a capacity for around 4,500 new homes.

The Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) will propose generous, safe and green public space that will include designs for future living – underpinned by good health and well-being principles, including new active travel routes.

With employment opportunities on the doorstep – and its own Metrolink station – Holt Town is particularly well placed to become home for more Mancunians in the future as the city looks to expand its housing options, along with new jobs and business opportunities.

The revamp will also ‘celebrate the area’s existing waterways which create a true sense of place’, the council says, which will also ‘hark back to the industrial history of the area – a space full of character’.

A new green space will also be included in the blueprint, bosses say.

One of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration prospects

“I’m thrilled with the response we received for this opportunity to support the next stage of Holt Town’s regeneration journey,” said council leader Bev Craig on announcing the news.

“The successful submission reflects Holt Town’s potential to create a new town in the city for a growing Manchester. It mirrored our own vision and ambition to ensure we celebrate the area’s heritage while creating new opportunities for digital investment, affordable homes and low carbon features that will future proof this new neighbourhood.

“We will always strive to deliver more for our residents and businesses and to work with partners who share this approach. I look forward to seeing the newly appointed team progress the plan for this community, supporting our ambitions for sustainable and inclusive growth as a key principle for Holt Town.”

David West, Founding Director of Studio Egret West said:

“Our team was instantly energised by the Council’s bold ambition to bring forward a pioneering framework for Holt Town.

“We will bring a fresh approach to the challenge of shaping a ‘town within the city’ and look forward to championing a genuinely collaborative and co-created neighbourhood framework.”

You can find out more about the regeneration of Holt Town by clicking here