Plans for Dreyfus Village approved
Harrow Estates plc has been granted outline planning permission by Manchester City Council for the development of a 44 acre (17.58 ha) site in Openshaw West, east Manchester. To be known as Dreyfus Village, the residential-led scheme, predominately designed for families, will encompass 1,100 residential units and approximately 8,000 sq ft (743 sq m) of commercial space, including offices, retail and leisure facilities with a communal space and events area at its heart.
The new neighbourhood has been named after French entrepreneur industrialist Charles Dreyfus, who founded the Clayton Aniline Company which was originally on the site.
Urban regeneration company, New East Manchester will now work with regeneration specialists, Harrow Estates, and architects Taylor Young in partnership with the local community, to develop the masterplan.
The brownfield site, acquired by Harrow Estates following a competitive bidding process, was last occupied by CIBA and has been in use for chemical production since the 1870s. It falls within the New East Manchester regeneration area and Harrow Estates has been working closely with New East Manchester and other key stakeholders to develop a technical and design response that encompasses environmental statements, including water resources and flood risk assessment, as well as social and economic impact, archaeological and historic assessments, planning policy, design and access, transport, ecology, noise and air quality.
Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: "We want to create a high quality, family-focused neighbourhood which offers a range of generously proportioned houses and apartments that meets changing family needs. Dreyfus Village is conveniently located in a pleasant, canal-side location, close to Manchester city centre. New East Manchester is tasked with providing affordable family housing for the city and this scheme helps meet this important objective."
Mike Riding, Managing Director for Harrow Estates, said: “This is an important step in the regeneration of East Manchester and a major opportunity at the heart of the masterplan area. The combination of homes, offices and community facilities is just what the area needs and we have enjoyed working with Manchester City Council, New East Manchester and the community to transform this old industrial site and develop a shared vision of the future.”
Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee approved the outline planning application on 10 April 2008.The site will now be remediated in preparation for the construction of the first phase of housing, which is due to start in 2010.