Legal News

Manchester City Council is set to approve an ambitious strategy to ensure Manchester can build a minimum of 25,000 homes over the next decade.

The city council says that Manchester is currently experiencing a huge rate of growth that requires a planned vision to meet housing demands for both homebuyers and rental tenants.

The city was the fastest growing in the UK between 2001 and 2011, with more than 80,000 people moving to Manchester – growth has continued over the last five years.

The city also has fast growing employment sectors – especially in digital, creative, life sciences and construction – as well as renowned education institutions, which are helping to retain working people.

However, to support this continued growth, the council says Manchester needs a range of affordable housing products across all housing types, while being mindful of high quality standards and sustainability.

Following a consultation, the Residential Growth Strategy sets out six priority themes for housing in the city that will ensure Manchester remains attractive and liveable – along with a detailed implementation plan that identifies priorities over the short to medium term.

The action plan will be reviewed and updated annually to monitor and refresh the actions, to ensure homes continue to be built amid a changing housing landscape, says the council.

The Action Plan includes measures to increase house building on existing and new sites, improve the quality and sustainability of the city’s housing, increase opportunities for home ownership, expand the city’s family housing offer to create family friendly environments, professionalise the private rented sector across the city – and provide appropriate housing options for retirement living.

The council says Manchester’s fastest growing housing sector – the private rented sector – is likely to rise to 40% in the next decade. However, fragmented ownership can lead to inconsistent management standards –
and as well as the recently launched Manchester Market Rental Pledge which puts in place support mechanisms for tenants, a targeted approach to landlord licensing may also be required.

Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bernard Priest, said:

“Put simply, we need more high-quality, liveable homes with high sustainability credentials.

“These homes should be in attractive neighbourhoods, with the services and amenities close by, supported by good transport links to educational facilities and employment.

“I think this strategy is what we need to make that happen – this is a long-term plan with huge ambition, which is absolutely necessary to support the success of the city and the year-on-year growth we have seen.

“However, critically, the strategy can also adapt to short- and medium-term changes to housing need and policy, enabling us to react quickly and amend our strategy towards what is required to support a growing population.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on all property and housing matters, including advising on planning consents and appeals.

Duncan Lewis also offers competitively-priced conveyancing services to homebuyers, including guiding first-time buyers through the conveyancing process.

The Duncan Lewis housing department regularly advises landlords and public sector or private sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters – including Right to Rent checks, landlord’s obligations under the Housing Act, disrepair of rented accommodation, Landlord and Tenant disputes, tenancy agreements and unlawful eviction.

For expert legal advice on property and housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.