Retail and hospitality workers in Manchester city centre could be offered more affordable flats, a first in the 海角视频, following the approval of hundreds of apartments.
Ongoing negotiations are taking place to secure a government grant that would make 175 flats at Mayfield affordable, which would be a fifth of the 879 flats granted planning permission by Manchester City Council on July 31.
Funds from Homes England would contribute towards construction costs, enabling developers Landsec to maintain profitability on the project to erect four skyscrapers - two of 23 storeys tall and two of 28 - around Mayfield Park.
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This was revealed by Cllr Sam Wheeler during a town hall meeting, where he said that trade unions would participate in the process to 'target' service industry employees.
"We have had discussions with the developers and we are actively looking at Homes England funding to ensure 20 per cent affordable on-site," said the Labour councillor for Piccadilly. "[It would be] targeted directly at workers in the hospitality and retail sectors.
"It's crucial that people who make the city centre run can live here. If we manage to pull it off it would be the first place in the country to do so."
Following the meeting, the developer confirmed its "intention" to make "20% of the first phase of homes affordable housing", stating it is working to secure the necessary grants and "ensure that the affordable homes provided by the scheme are prioritised for key workers who provide essential services in Manchester".
Despite Landsec not currently including any affordable housing as the project does not meet the required 20% viability threshold, it will expand Mayfield Park by 40% with the towers. It has also contributed to the council's "housing affordability fund", which is used to finance affordable homes in other areas.
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The four towers, designed to protect sunlight in the six-and-a-half acre park, will house restaurants, cafés, health and wellness facilities, and community areas.
These towers will accompany new office blocks, construction of which began last week. Further plans for the neighbourhood include a transport hub, additional offices and homes, potentially built atop the historic Mayfield railway depot.
Sacha Lord, founder of Warehouse Project now hosted in Mayfield Depot, expressed his delight at the development.
Speaking to the LDRS, he said: "Manchester is now firmly the 海角视频's capital of nightlife. With more and more internationally renowned events choosing Manchester to relocate to, like The Brits.
"The hospitality industry is thriving more than any other city-region and with that comes the need for more staff.
"I'm absolutely delighted that The Mayfield Partnership and Manchester City Council have recognised the importance of suitable, affordable accommodation for the sector.
"This will be a real first for the 海角视频 and again shows that what Manchester does today, the rest of the 海角视频 does tomorrow."