England’s first Land Commission, facilitated by the Manchester-based Centre for Local Economic Strategies, said Liverpool’s leaders should recognise “the true social purpose of land” rather than seeing it just as a “commodity”.
Salford tenants invited to join tenant climate jury
Salix Homes in Salford is inviting social tenants to join a first-of-its-kind tenants’ jury to consider how residents, social landlords and others can tackle climate change.
The privatisation of Manchester
As Manchester becomes increasingly gentrified and local communities are priced out, a new report on the city’s land use has found a pattern of privatisation and sell-offs – aided and abetted by its Labour council.
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.
Why planning is political
Andrea Sandor explores how community-led developments are putting democracy at the heart of the planning process.
Guest article first published in Red Pepper.
Q & A with teacher and union organiser Vik Chechi-Ribiero
Vik Chechi-Ribeiro is a science teacher at a Manchester academy and candidate for the National Education Union’s Executive. The union represents over 450,000 teachers and education staff in the UK. Nick Prescott speaks with him about exams, community organising, and the future of education. The highest growth of COVID-19 cases has been within the North […]
Housing campaigners call university’s treatment of students ‘abhorrent’ and state solidarity with occupying students
Open letter criticises the University of Manchester for its treatment of students involved in an occupation of student residences and a rent strike.
An offer to meet some of the students demands by the university have been rejected by the student activists, who have vowed to continue the protest until demands are met.
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?
‘We’re a community of ghosts’ – older renters in Hulme speak out
The number of people over the age of 55 living in rented accommodation is increasing. The Meteor visits Hopton Court, a social housing block in Hulme, and speaks with older renters about the challenges and uncertainty they face.
Define Affordable
How arbitrary definitions and a focus on ‘headline figures’ are exacerbating the housing crisis.