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Clarion Housing Association is in advanced discussions with the contractor and its supply chain about redevelopment of part of the former Boddingtons Brewery site on Great Ducie Street.

Manchester approved the 461-apartment scheme 12 months ago. Since then Latimer, Clarion’s development arm, has been trying to secure a construction company to build the project.

Latimer confirmed to Northwest place who is now speaking exclusively with Graham Construction. The contractor’s current projects include the £130m Millers Quay in Wirral Waters and a 457-bedroom student scheme at Salford Quays.

Richard Cook, director of group development at Clarion Housing Group, said: “We have yet to make a formal appointment of a contractor for Great Ducie Street, but we are engaging with Grahams and their supply chain under an informal arrangement as we work on the next few design stages to the project.

The ability of development companies to appoint contractors has been affected in recent months by the fluctuating cost of materials and an inflationary environment. This means that projects take longer than normal to start on site after planning permission has been granted.

Cook predicts that these delays could worsen in the future.

“The lack of clarity from the government on any new legislation on second stairs, the consultation of which we fully support, will inevitably mean delays for some projects, including Great Ducie Street,” he said.

Latimer’s Great Ducie Street project will see a 1.25-acre portion of the former Boddingtons Brewery site, currently used as surface parking, redeveloped into two blocks, one 27-story and the other 11-story.

The land, part of a larger seven-acre plot, was deemed surplus to the requirements of Manchester College operator LTE Group, which recently completed a new £93m digital and creative city center campus next door. .

Latimer bought the LTE site in June 2021.

Designed by Assael Architecture, proposals include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom properties.

The developer claims the scheme will feature 60% affordable housing.

Low plans submitted in December In 2021, Latimer put forward proposals for an affordable 5% provision, but insisted he was “firmly committed” to increasing this to 60% in the long term.

“The remaining 55%…will be delivered with grant support from Clarion’s partnership with Homes England,” the company said at the time.

On a neighboring parcel, Salboy is close to breaking ground on a 556-home project known as Old Brewery Gardens.

Salboy bought the three-acre site from Realty Estates for an undisclosed price late last year.