Plans approved for a SECOND arena in Manchester

Manchester City Council has approved plans of up to more than £1 billion of investment in East Manchester.

Major schemes including a second arena, in East Manchester, 634 new homes as part of the Northern Gateway scheme on the northern edge of the city centre and 410 new homes in Varley Street in Miles Platting have now been given the green light.

It's claimed the schemes taken together would generate thousands of new jobs - both permanent and construction and supply chain jobs - and provide much-needed new housing in the city, including affordable homes.

Council Leader Sir Richard Leese said: “The fact that these schemes are being brought forward represents a remarkable statement of confidence in Manchester at a time of major national economic uncertainty. That is important not just as a reassurance but as something which would translate into real jobs, real homes and real opportunities for Manchester people - helping to support the city’s economic recovery from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

It is estimated that in total the schemes would directly create or support more than 1,300 permanent jobs, more than 200 apprenticeships and thousands more construction industry and supply chain roles.

The proposals include local labour agreements to ensure that many of these roles are specifically targeted at Manchester residents.

Once completed it is anticipated that these schemes would generate more than £115m per year in extra spending within the local economy and add more than £6.5m a year in business rates and council tax income to help support services.

The schemes include new affordable housing - 72 homes in the Miles Platting scheme (36 shared ownership and 36 affordable rent, to be managed by a registered social housing provider) and five per cent of properties within this phase of the Northern Gateway scheme. It should be noted that other parts of the Northern Gateway scheme, such as Collyhurst phase one - where 130 out of up to 300 news will be for social rent - have higher concentrations of affordable housing.