Waterside regeneration specialists, Peel Waters, have submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) scoping request to Trafford Council ahead of bringing forward an outline planning application for the Manchester Waters masterplan later in the year.

Peel Waters’ plans will regenerate the remaining 25 acres of brownfield land at Pomona Island into a new waterfront district. The unique ‘island’ site is located between the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal and has already seen almost 600 homes to buy and rent delivered with X1 and Hestia as part of the first phases, with construction of a further 500 homes set to begin in 2026. Through a complex land assembly process, Peel Waters also unlocked the opportunity to transform a key gateway into the site at Cornbrook. Working with partners, Glenbrook and Forshaw Group, 280 homes have been delivered at Cornbrook so far, with another 237 homes, an aparthotel and coffee bar to begin construction soon.

The proposed vision for Manchester Waters will see public realm and green spaces delivered on over half the site, including a new 5-acre waterside park, as well as additional new spaces for sports and play.

With two tram stops bookending the site, Manchester Waters is one of the best-connected neighbourhoods in Greater Manchester. Peel Waters plans to enhance this further by creating a network of new footpaths and cycleways, including a promenade along the Manchester Ship Canal, improving links between Manchester and both MediaCity and Trafford Wharfside.

The EIA scoping request, submitted today by Turley on behalf of Peel Waters, is the next step in the preparation of an outline planning application which covers the masterplan for the remaining undeveloped land at Manchester Waters. The masterplan includes around 2,600 new homes across a mix of tenures, supported by new commercial, hotel and leisure space.

The EIA scoping request seeks to agree the environmental topics to be assessed within the Environmental Statement that will be submitted alongside the future outline planning application for the masterplan. Once initial technical surveys and assessments have been carried out, a full public consultation will be launched to welcome the views of the local community and stakeholders on the plans.

As part of the consultation, Peel Waters and their project team will be launching a bespoke website and hosting a live public webinar. Once the consultation closes, all feedback received will be carefully considered and reviewed before finalising the plans and submitting an outline planning application to Trafford Council.

Leigh Thomas, Development Director at Peel Waters commented:

“We are excited to bring forward our plans for the next phases of Manchester Waters, which will open up the site to the public for the first time in decades.

“The masterplan is landscape-led, with the creation of new parks and recreation space at its heart. We also feel it’s important to keep some of Pomona Island’s unique character, so some of the best existing areas of nature and green space will be retained and enhanced.

“The site also provides a fantastic opportunity to deliver the new homes that Trafford and Greater Manchester needs, on brownfield land in a highly sustainable location. With support from partners and stakeholders, over 1,000 more new homes, for people of all incomes and ages, could be completed at Manchester Waters in the next 5 years.

“We are therefore pleased to submit the EIA scoping request today as it marks another significant step towards delivering the vision for Manchester Waters, and we look forward to sharing our plans with the community and launching our public consultation this summer.”

Manchester Waters is part of Peel Waters, a UK wide portfolio of vibrant and innovative, waterfront developments, delivering large-scale, sustainable regeneration projects, creating jobs, economic growth, new homes and new public realm across the country.

You can register for updates at www.mcrwatersconsultation.co.uk