The passing of two controversial building proposals in Manchester raises the question – who does the city’s development model serve? A land commission for Greater Manchester could provide answers to that question and point the way to a more equitable use of land in the future.
Community-led housing’s potential is yet to be realised
Community-led housing is on the rise. Local groups in need of suitable housing in Greater Manchester are being encouraged to get involved in creating genuinely affordable housing tailored to their needs.
Established housing cooperative Homes for Change show what can be achieved when support is provided which allows people to work together to create housing solutions.
Are council deals with developers offering best value? Research paper questions development policy and calls for greater transparency
New research paper investigating the sale of public land in Manchester to property developers, questions whether the public are getting value for money in these deals.
Authors highlight lack of available information on development deals and call for a Land Commission. Manchester City Council responds.
‘Shudehill Shard’ monies should pay for social housing level rented homes, says Sir Richard Leese
Responding to a call from Piccadilly councillors, Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said it would be ‘entirely appropriate’ to use money made from the sale of land to build the infamous ‘Shudehill Shard’ for building social housing level rent homes in the ward.
‘It’s like Grand Designs comes to Oldham’ — inside Oldham’s first community led housing project
Locked out of the housing market, locals in Saddleworth set up a not-for-profit company to build beautiful bespoke affordable homes. The project shows the huge potential of community led projects to build better homes and strengthen local communities.
Raising the Roof on Housing: a round-up of our member directed investigation
The Raising the Roof on Housing series was funded by the generous donations of our supporters in a Crowdfunder we ran last year and its theme was chosen by Meteor Community Members.
Co-living: a new housing model in a broken system
After several months of rejection huge co-living developments are now coming to Manchester. Is it a new form of community living or another extractive product in the city’s ongoing property boom?
With strong links to the city’s financialised student housing sector, is this the type of housing we should be building during Covid-19 and the ongoing housing crisis?
Reversing society’s dehumanisation of the homeless, McClenaghan brings to life the hundreds of homeless dying on our streets every year
An early and lonely death is the ultimate fate for many at the sharpest end of the housing and homelessness crisis. Maeve McClenaghan’s No Fixed Abode documents how the first count of homeless deaths in the UK was created and brings to life the stories of those that died.
No luxury offices on former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, locals tell Manchester city council
90% of locals in survey thought the area did not need any more luxury offices, as campaign group Trees Not Cars brand Manchester city council’s public consultation on future of site of former Central Retail Park “tick box activity”
Manctopia: reality TV in a journalism jumper
The series trailer and episode lead-ins for the BBC documentary Manctopia are suggestive of a series seeking to analyse the inequalities associated with Manchester’s “property boom”.
Instead, this glossy reality TV entrenches a misguided message that uncontrolled investor-driven urban development is the only possible trajectory. Its winners vs losers framing negatively impacts those communities experiencing the pressures of gentrification on a daily basis.