Council leaders describe construction in Manchester’s property sectors as an “essential” element of the city’s economic recovery.

Summary:

• Constructing new residential and commercial property in Manchester will play an integral role in the city’s post-coronavirus recovery strategy
• Council leaders believe more development is “essential” and will work with developers to sustain confidence in the sector
• Global investment into Manchester’s property sector remains high, and this commitment from council leaders to support the development sector aims to sustain growth in the coming years

As Manchester’s economic activity reignites from lockdown, property development will be crucial to the city’s overall post-COVID-19 recovery.

That’s the message in a new report from Manchester City Council, which underlined the importance of construction across all property sectors as a key priority for the city in the immediate aftermath of coronavirus.

Reported by Place North West, the document written by outgoing Manchester City Council Development Director, Eddie Smith, mapped out the work being undertaken to reopen the city after lockdown, whilst also looking at long-term recovery strategies.

The report stated the importance of sustaining “confidence” in the commercial and residential property development sectors.

This could be achieved, the report outlined, “by continuing to encourage pre-planning discussions, progressing planning applications to decision, and concluding the necessary legal arrangements for projects that will drive our growth objectives and have a demonstrable capacity to deliver quickly.”

Many of the best developments in Manchester constructed in recent years have placed a greater emphasis on quality and placemaking. Manchester City Council wants to ensure that these qualities are still a priority because, as the report states, “these commitments will have an impact on development appraisals, for example, in terms of planning gain.”

Furthermore, the Council wants to maintain the significant level of property investment in Manchester that has been recorded in recent years. This, the report explains, “is an essential element of effective and sustainable recovery.”