Massive development for Ashton Canal

A MASSIVE development of over 4,000 homes is planned for the Ashton Canal between the Manchester Sports Stadium and the city.

The Holt Town Waterfront scheme would transform 95 acres, from the stadium (pictured), with developers Cibitas seeking to renew planning permission for the £1bn project, originally granted by town hall planners at the start of 2008, that was cancelled with the credit crunch.

15 years to complete

It was the largest planning application to be approved in Manchester, that  would take 15 years to complete, and includes offices, shops, restaurants, pubs and a primary school. The picture shows the peculiar development completed by the side of the Ashton Canal before the credit crunch.

Holt Town Waterfront takes in the Ashton Canal corridor and  the Medlock, and includes historic, listed mill buildings. Homes would include a mix of houses, apartments and duplexes.