We’ve acquired a five-acre site for 65 new homes in Chorlton, Manchester from a youth charity.
Dalton Fields will bring much needed new and affordable homes to the area, while The Greater Manchester Youth Federation will use monies from the land sale to reinvest in local youth facilities.
We were selected as preferred development partner for the Wilbraham Road site in 2022 after a competitive tender process. Planning permission was granted in October 2023.
We’ve now started work on new development, which will be marketed as Dalton Fields, a nod to its former name of Harry Dalton Fields. Our venture will include three and four-bedroom homes for private sale, plus 13 affordable homes, seven of which will be designated for social rent and six for shared ownership. The homes will all be highly energy efficient, using air source heat pumps to provide heating and hot water in place of traditional gas boilers, and each will have an electric vehicle charging point.
Redevelopment of this redundant parcel of land has been able to unlock wider community benefits of almost £558,000, with the funding committed as part of the planning agreement.
Funds are also earmarked for Maine Road FC, who play at the adjacent Brantingham Road ground, Alexandra Park, and South Manchester Cricket Club.
Youth services across Manchester will also benefit from the sale of the land by the Greater Manchester Youth Federation (GMYF). The charity supports approximately 30 clubs across the city region.
Phil Dolan, chief operating officer at Anwyl Homes, said: “Our new development will bring far-reaching benefits for the community. As well as delivering energy efficient new and affordable homes to meet strong demand, it will also bring on-site biodiversity net gain, additional tree planting and funding for local sports facilities. This includes upgrades to LED floodlights for our neighbours Maine Road FC so the club can host more home fixtures.
“We’ve worked closely with the GMYF throughout the planning process. This land transaction represents a significant step forward for the charity in securing a more sustainable future. It has taken several years of work for them to bring this site to market and achieve planning consent. It’s been a real team effort between us, the GMYF, property consultants Roger Hannah, planning consultants Asteer Planning, and legal advisors Shoosmiths. On behalf of ourselves and the GMYF, I’d also like to thank Manchester City Council and local ward members for their input and support throughout.”
Karen Wilson, chief executive of the GMYF, said: “The positive ripple effect from the sale of this site by the GMYF will be felt for decades to come. It’s brought huge social value, delivering affordable homes, and generating cash to reinvest straight back into youth services in Manchester.
“Every penny will go back into providing facilities for young people in our community. It’s ensured our charity will remain sustainable long-term so we can continue offering vital provision, including youth centres and sport facilities, to give young people positive, safe places where they can spend time.”
“Even before the land sale was completed, we’ve been able to plan ahead, knowing this funding for our future was guaranteed. It’s given us greater independence, in place of the uncertain existence charities such as us face when relying on grant funding.
“Enormous benefits are reaching other areas of the city including our centres in Partington and Charlestown.”
The charity opened its first youth centre, Partington Youth and Community Centre, in April 2022, entering into a 99-year lease with Trafford Council for the building. It also committed £200,000 to refurbish The Charlestown Centre (formerly the Whitemoss Youth and Community Centre), which reopened to young people in June this year, run by three full-time members of staff.
The Greater Manchester Youth Federation’s roots date back to the mid-1800s when “Lads Clubs” were first established to combat the gang crime of the time. Following its founders’ principles, it was decided that owning football pitches was key part of its services to communities. Fast forward to modern times and the organisation has diversified to provide youth centres and sports facilities.
Harry Dalton Fields was owned by GMYF since 1968. However, it had been unused and closed to the public since 2016.
With work now underway on the first homes at Dalton Fields, we’re hoping to release the first homes for sale in the autumn.
For more information on our new development visit www.anwylhomes.co.uk/our-developments/dalton-fields.
