Pomona Island Masterplan Relaunch: Transforming Manchester’s Waterfront

After several years of inactivity, the Pomona Island masterplan has been revived, setting out one of the most ambitious regeneration projects currently planned for Greater Manchester. Covering 25 acres of brownfield land, the new proposals could reshape this long-neglected island into a thriving mixed-use district of homes, offices, leisure spaces, and extensive parkland.

From Industrial Past to Regeneration Future

Pomona Island, which sits between Manchester city centre and Salford Quays, has long been earmarked for redevelopment but has struggled to move beyond isolated schemes. Once the site of the grand Victorian Pomona Gardens, the area later became dominated by industry before falling into dereliction.

Peel Waters, the landowner and master developer, has now confirmed that a revised outline planning application is being prepared, backed by a clear delivery strategy stretching to 2041.

Scale of the Pomona Island Masterplan

The proposals would deliver:

• Up to 2,600 homes in a mix of apartments and townhouses.
• 750,000 square feet of office space, supporting Manchester’s expanding economy.
• 100 care beds to serve the local community.
• 200 hotel rooms to strengthen hospitality capacity near key business and leisure hubs.
• Building heights reaching 35 storeys, creating a distinctive new skyline along the Manchester Ship Canal.

In addition, 60% of the site will be dedicated to public realm, with plans for a 5.2-acre central park and extensive walking and cycling routes to improve connectivity between Cornbrook and Pomona Metrolink stops.

Scale of the Pomona Island Masterplan

The latest proposals would deliver:

• Up to 2,600 homes across a range of tenures.
• 750,000 sq ft of office space supporting Manchester’s growing commercial sector.
• 100 care beds and up to 200 hotel rooms, broadening the social and economic mix.
• Buildings rising to 35 storeys, creating a striking new skyline along the Manchester Ship Canal.
• A commitment to dedicate 60% of the 25-acre site to public realm, including a 5.2-acre waterfront park.

Investment and Delivery

The Pomona Island masterplan represents an estimated £1 billion regeneration programme, making it one of the largest single investments in Greater Manchester’s pipeline.

Progress is already visible. More than 600 homes have been delivered through X1 and Hestia, while a further 500 homes are due to start construction in 2026. At Cornbrook, 280 homes are complete with another 237 homes, an aparthotel, and commercial units coming forward.

The phasing strategy anticipates over 1,000 homes in the first five years and full completion by 2041.

X1 Manchester Waters: Delivering Early Phases

X1 Developments, in partnership with Peel Waters and Vermont, has already advanced the southern edge of Pomona Island. The first two towers at X1 Manchester Waters have delivered 216 apartments, with three further towers bringing the total pipeline to 742 homes.

These high-spec apartments, offering on-site gyms, landscaped gardens, and waterside views, demonstrate the strong demand for modern homes in this location and set the tone for wider regeneration.

Click here to read our in-depth article on the history of Panoma Island.

Public Realm and Connectivity

A defining feature of the Pomona Island masterplan is its commitment to green space and accessibility:

• 60% public realm, including a landmark waterfront park.
• Active travel routes connecting Cornbrook and Pomona tram stops to the city centre and MediaCityUK.
• Play areas, sports facilities, and landscaped gardens integrated throughout the neighbourhood.

This ensures the regeneration is more than housing, it becomes a balanced community.

Economic Impact

As part of the wider Peel Waters portfolio, the Pomona Island masterplan contributes to a vision of 30,000 homes and 10 million sq ft of commercial space across seven UK waterfront sites.

For Manchester specifically, the regeneration is expected to:

• Inject £741.9 million of investment into Manchester Waters.
• Create thousands of construction and long-term jobs.
• Boost buy-to-let investment potential, with strong yields predicted in this well-connected location.

Design and Delivery Team

The scheme is being advanced by a strong professional team:

• Turley – planning consultancy.
• Jon Matthews Architects – architectural design.
• Re-form Landscape Architecture – public realm strategy.
• X1 Developments and Vermont – residential delivery partners.

Why the Pomona Island Masterplan Matters

The revival of the Pomona Island masterplan demonstrates Manchester’s ability to turn challenging brownfield sites into thriving communities. With £1 billion of investment, 2,600 homes, and 60% green space, Pomona Island is set to become one of the city’s most significant regeneration projects, reshaping the skyline and re-energising a long-neglected waterfront.

To explore investment opportunities in Pomona Island and Manchester Waters, contact our team at TK Property Group.