Canal clearing, new waterways and the construction of a garden island are all part of the infrastructure work that has begun in Ancoats, East Manchester. The work, being undertaken jointly by English Partnerships, Urban Splash and New East Manchester, is aimed at turning the 29-acre site, formerly the Cardroom Estate, into a mixed-use leisure and residential development. It is hoped that this will prove to be the catalyst for broader regeneration of underprivileged East Manchester.

Duncan Innes, head of Millennium Communities at English Partnerships, said: "One of the unique and attractive aspects of New Islington will be its array of waterways. Some of the original canals were filled with concrete to make room for the Cardroom Estate because they were seen to have no future."

Housing construction is expected to start in 2004. Outline planning permission for the development was granted in May and will include 1,450 mixed tenure homes as well as offices, shops and restaurants. A new primary school will also form part of the scheme.