The City Council’s top-level Executive today authorised the purchase of the Stagecoach Bus Depot, which has inhibited housing development in the area due to its unsightly appearance and prominent location.

The purchase will be the culmination of several years of discussions between the City Council and Stagecoach. It will free up the site for new housing supporting the Council’s vision for Moss Side as “an attractive, stable and successful residential area” (Moss Side and Rusholme District Centre Local Plan, 2007).

The development at Maine Road, where almost 450 new homes are being built, is already making a significant contribution towards the regeneration of Moss Side.

But more new housing is needed to meet the needs and aspirations of existing and would-be residents. The current housing range is overwhelmingly smaller terraced properties with low levels of owner occupation.

As well as the Stagecoach depot, the neighbouring site of Bishop Bilsborrow School – which will merge with nearby St Edward’s RC School and move to a brand new home on the Maine Road development – will also become available for development.

Taken together, the two sites have the potential to add significant impetus to the regeneration of the area.

The City Council is also considering options for the future of the Bowes Street neighbourhood, to the north of the Stagecoach bus depot and south of Claremont Road. This consists of 233 of the poorest quality terraces in Moss Side and some form of intervention is required.

Consultants have been appointed to deliver an options appraisal looking at whether improvements to the Bowes Street neighbourhood would be better achieved separately or as part of the wider Stagecoach/Bishop Bilsborrow scheme. Residents’ views will be sought during February as an important part of these considerations.