Birch Street, A-U-L

Manor Architecture were appointed by John Southworth Builders Ltd to review a land-led development opportunity at the former Birch Hotel site in Ashton-under-Lyne. Although the site benefited from an extant planning permission for a four storey apartment scheme, the design required reconsideration to meet the requirements of the affordable housing sector. We reviewed the layout, accommodation mix and building form from first principles, creating an efficient and commercially deliverable proposal comprising 25 new apartments.

Responding to the site’s topography and surrounding houses was central to the design process. The vacant brownfield site sits below the adjoining streets and is bounded by existing housing, with a former railway corridor and the M60 beyond. The building steps between three and four storeys to follow these changing levels, respond to the scale of neighbouring properties and reduce its perceived mass.

The façades have been carefully designed to complement the surrounding Victorian housing. Pitched roofs reflect the established roofscape, while red brick, vertically proportioned windows and complementary detailing provide a contemporary interpretation of the area’s traditional materials and character.

The scheme comprises 22 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments and has been designed for delivery as 100% affordable housing. Landscaped communal spaces, new trees and native planting are incorporated alongside 25 parking spaces, secure cycle storage and a 37.2kWp photovoltaic array. These measures create an attractive and practical residential environment while reducing the development’s operational energy requirements.

A full planning application was submitted in 2026. The redevelopment demonstrates how a land-led approach, supported by careful architectural design, can unlock a constrained brownfield site and deliver much-needed affordable housing. Manor Architecture’s proposals balance design quality, neighbouring amenity, sustainability and commercial viability while responding positively to the character of the surrounding area.

Manor Architecture’s residential team has a proven track record of assisting developers and affordable housing providers with the delivery of land-led developments. From initial feasibility and planning strategy through to detailed architectural design and BIM delivery, we prioritise understanding each client’s commercial objectives, systems and processes. This allows us to act as a seamless extension of the wider design team and deliver coordinated, practical and high-quality solutions.