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Manchester to get its own island district as Turley supports Peel Waters to submit outline planning application for Manchester Waters masterplan

We have advised on an ambitious vision for Pomona Island with 2,600 new homes, new waterfront connections and more than half the site dedicated to new accessible public realm and green spaces.

Peel Waters has submitted an outline planning application to Trafford Council for the next phases of the Manchester Waters masterplan, marking a major milestone in the transformation of Pomona Island into a vibrant new waterfront neighbourhood.

We are providing a multi-disciplinary advisory service to Peel Waters – including expert Planning, Strategic Communications, Economics, Sustainability and ESG, Heritage, Townscape and Landscape, and EIA services – to support the plans to regenerate the remaining 25 acres of brownfield land at Pomona Island. This would see the delivery of around 2,600 new high-quality waterfront homes across a mix of housing types including affordable, build-to-rent and open market sale; as well as additional student, care and elderly living accommodation.

A hotel, flexible workspace, retail units, leisure and event space as well as social spaces for future coffee shops, bars and eateries have all been designed into the masterplan. A landscape-led vision has been crucial to the design of the masterplan; with over half the site dedicated to public realm and green spaces, including a new 5-acre waterside park, sports and play areas, and a network of new footpaths and cycleways connecting Manchester Waters with the city centre, MediaCity and Trafford Wharfside.



Image credit: Peel Waters and Jon Matthews Architects

Associate Director, Olivia Carr, said: 

“Manchester Waters represents a significant opportunity to unlock one of Greater Manchester’s most unique brownfield waterfront sites. Drawing on our integrated, multi-disciplinary expertise, we’re proud to have worked closely with Peel Waters to progress a thriving new waterfront neighbourhood that balances the delivery of new homes with high-quality public realm and strong local connections. 

“This builds on our continued involvement at the site, where we also helped secure planning permission for the under construction X1 Manchester Waters, and Pomona Wharf Phase 2. Together, these proposals demonstrate how long-term regeneration can transform Pomona Island into a vibrant new neighbourhood, whilst supporting community aspirations and growth ambitions. We look forward to continuing our work with Peel Waters as this ambitious vision progresses.”

Leigh Thomas, Development Director at Peel Waters, commented: 

“Submitting the outline planning application is a significant step forward in delivering our vision for Manchester Waters. 

“This masterplan will open up Pomona Island to the public for the first time in decades, creating a unique “island” neighbourhood with parks and recreation space for future visitors, residents and workers to enjoy, whilst ensuring there is a housing option for all incomes and ages. With support from partners and stakeholders, over 1,000 of these much needed new homes could be completed at Manchester Waters in the next 5 years – which is a really exciting prospect.

“We’re grateful to everyone who took part in the Manchester Waters consultation and shared their ideas. Their feedback has helped shape plans that will deliver the new homes Trafford and Greater Manchester need, alongside green spaces and amenities for the whole community.”

A spokesperson for Trafford Council added: 

“Manchester Waters is a key strategic site for Trafford Council and forms a large part of our plans to regenerate that particular area of the borough. We look forward to seeing how the application for development progresses.”



Image credit: Peel Waters and Jon Matthews Architects

Before submitting the application, Peel Waters invited the local community to take part in a full public consultation. Hosted on a dedicated project website and supported by a live webinar, the consultation attracted around 100 individual responses, with 78% of respondents supporting the creation of a new neighbourhood at Manchester Waters. Feedback focused on proposals for green spaces, ideas for ground-floor uses, and improvements to cycle routes. All responses were carefully reviewed, and further technical work was undertaken where appropriate to refine the plans.

In recognition of the importance of integrating green spaces with both new and existing communities, Peel Waters is now working with local residents and community groups to explore opportunities for collaboratively naming the new park and public areas following direct feedback from the recent public consultation.

With two tram stops bookending the development and plans to enhance sustainable travel through new promenades and cycleways, Manchester Waters is one of the best-connected sites in Greater Manchester.

The unique ‘island’ site is located between the Bridgewater Canal and the Manchester Ship Canal and builds on the success of earlier phases.

Learn more about our wider work at Manchester Waters at Pomona Wharf Phase 2, where we secured planning permission for 159 new homes on behalf of Peel Waters in March 2024. This builds on our ongoing involvement at the site, alongside the under-construction X1 Manchester Waters.

To view the proposal for the Manchester Waters masterplan please visit: Peel Waters - Manchester Waters Consultation.

17 December 2025