In the shadow of the Etihad Stadium is the housing estate that time forgot. Those living at the Grey Mare Lane estate in Beswick - which was built some 50 years ago - have heard promises of regeneration for more than a decade.
And now work is finally under way with existing homes being re-roofed, over-clad and retrofitted to improve energy efficiency, giving them a fresh look. Plans are also in place to demolish 124 poor-quality maisonettes, flats and older houses, replacing them with new social rent low carbon homes, plus another 166 affordable rented homes and shared ownership properties.
But talk of a 'whole estate regeneration' with promises that privately-owned properties would also benefit has fallen flat – and homeowners are 'fuming'. Housing association One Manchester, which manages the social rented homes on the estate, told residents who have purchased their properties that they would also have their houses retrofitted too – subject to government funding.
