Community
MANCHESTER TO GET ITS OWN ISLAND DISTRICT AS PEEL WATERS SUBMITS OUTLINE PLANNING APPLICATION FOR MANCHESTER WATERS MASTERPLAN
Ambitious vision for Pomona Island includes 2,600 new homes, new waterfront connections and more than half the site dedicated to new accessible public realm and green spaces
Waterside regeneration specialists, Peel Waters, have submitted an outline planning application to Trafford Council for the next phases of the Manchester Waters masterplan, marking a major milestone in the transformation of Pomona Island into a vibrant new waterfront neighbourhood.
The plans will regenerate the remaining 25 acres of brownfield land at Pomona Island, delivering around 2,600 new high-quality waterfront homes across a mix of housing types including affordable, build-to-rent and open market sale; as well as additional student, care and elderly living accommodation.
Illustrative Manchester Waters Masterplan Aerial View - Credit Peel Waters and Jon Matthews Architects
Over half the site dedicated to public realm and green spaces
A hotel, flexible workspace, retail units, leisure and event space as well as social spaces for future coffee shops, bars and eateries have all been designed into the masterplan. A landscape-led vision has been crucial to the design of the masterplan; with over half the site dedicated to public realm and green spaces, including a new 5-acre waterside park, sports and play areas, and a network of new footpaths and cycleways connecting Manchester Waters with the city centre, MediaCity and Trafford Wharfside.
Before submitting the application, Peel Waters invited the local community to take part in a full public consultation. Hosted on a dedicated project website and supported by a live webinar, the consultation attracted around 100 individual responses, with 78% of respondents supporting the creation of a new neighbourhood at Manchester Waters. Feedback focused on proposals for green spaces, ideas for ground-floor uses, and improvements to cycle routes. All responses were carefully reviewed, and further technical work was undertaken where appropriate to refine the plans.
The community will be given the opportunity to name the new park
In recognition of the importance of integrating green spaces with both new and existing communities, Peel Waters is now working with local residents and community groups to explore opportunities for collaboratively naming the new park and public areas following direct feedback from the recent public consultation.
Illustrative Manchester Waters Masterplan Aerial View - Credit Peel Waters and Jon Matthews Architects
One of the best-connected sites in Greater Manchester
With two tram stops bookending the development and plans to enhance sustainable travel through new promenades and cycleways, Manchester Waters is one of the best-connected sites in Greater Manchester.
The unique ‘island’ site is located between the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal and builds on the success of earlier phases that has seen almost 600 homes to buy, and rent delivered in partnership between Peel Waters, X1 Developments and Hestia, and construction of a further 500 homes set to begin in 2026. Through a complex land assembly process, Peel Waters unlocked the opportunity to transform a key gateway into the site at Cornbrook. Working with partners, Glenbrook and Forshaw Group, 280 homes and a Co-op store have been delivered at Cornbrook so far, with another 237 homes, an aparthotel and coffee bar to begin construction soon.
Leigh Thomas, Development Director at Peel Waters, commented: “Submitting the outline planning application is a significant step forward in delivering our vision for Manchester Waters.
“This masterplan will open up Pomona Island to the public for the first time in decades, creating a unique “island” neighbourhood with parks and recreation space for future visitors, residents and workers to enjoy, whilst ensuring there is a housing option for all incomes and ages. With support from partners and stakeholders, over 1,000 of these much needed new homes could be completed at Manchester Waters in the next 5 years – which is a really exciting prospect.
Leigh continued: “We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the Manchester Waters consultation and shared their ideas. Their feedback has helped shape plans that will deliver the new homes Trafford and Greater Manchester need, alongside green spaces and amenities for the whole community.”
A spokesperson for Trafford Council added: “Manchester Waters is a key strategic site for Trafford Council and forms a large part of our plans to regenerate that particular area of the borough. We look forward to seeing how the application for development progresses.”
Manchester Waters forms part of Peel Waters, a UK-wide portfolio of waterfront regeneration projects delivering new homes, public realm, and economic growth across the country.
To view the proposal for the Manchester Waters masterplan please visit: Peel Waters – Manchester Waters Consultation
Project Team
Master planner: Peel Waters
Planning Consultants: Turley
Architect: Jon Matthews Architects
Landscape Consultants: re-form landscape architecture
Transport Consultant: TTHC [The Traffic, Transport and Highways Consultancy]
For general enquiries please contact hello@peelwaters.co.uk
For press and media enquires related to Peel Waters, please email: Emma Green egreen@peel.co.uk or Kate Holland kholland@peel.co.uk