Plans have been submitted to Manchester Council for a city centre canal-side apartment block that would consist solely of homes affordable for first-time buyers.
The scheme on the Ashton Canal by Clarion Housing Group would see "high-quality" apartments and town houses built between Store Street and the canal towpath.
According to the developers, their scheme close to Manchester Piccadilly station will satisfy a growing demand for "much needed" low-cost home ownership in the city centre.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it would mean 46 'high quality' two-bedroom apartments, 17 one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom townhouses built between Store Street and the canal towpath.
Plans submitted to Manchester Council show the building would be split-level, with 11 floors rising from street level and a second, four-storey block - complete with a roof terrace - facing the towpath.
The small parcel of land, which has a long history of industrial use since the 19th century, is owned by the Canal and River Trust.
All of the funds raised through the scheme will be passed to the trust to be reinvested back into the canal network to help with ongoing maintenance.
Clarion says the scheme would go above and beyond council planning requirements for new developments to provide at least 20pc affordable housing.
A planning statement submitted with the planning applications says: "There is a recognised significant shortfall of affordable housing provision in Manchester, particularly in the city centre, where despite substantial recent developments very few affordable units have been delivered.
"It is also important to recognise that the affordability of properties in the city means that a significant proportion of new households - 38pc - are unable to rent or purchase a property,
"The provision of a scheme with 100pc of the units being affordable is exceptional in the city centre and represents a significant benefit in providing much needed affordable housing."
The statement adds: "The proposals represent a highly sustainable development using a vacant industrial site in an accessible location.
"It will provide much needed affordable housing units in the city centre where a significant under provision has been identified."
