Why can't Manchester persuade developers to build affordable housing?

Plus: See you down at Aviva Studios

Dear Millers — welcome to this members-only edition of The Mill. After a briefing which focused on mortgages yesterday, today we tackle the question of affordable housing. Why is it proving so hard to persuade the developers who are dramatically altering our skyline to cough up a few affordable flats? We asked our data and policy reporter Daniel Timms to take a look at two recent planning proposals in order to throw some light on that question. Or even answer it.

But first, at our brilliant 3rd birthday event last week, we had a spirited group discussion about Factory International, the enormous cultural venue that is about to open on the Irwell. Some in the room were excited about its opening and some were deeply sceptical, but many people in the room just didn’t really understand what it is actually going to be. We also talked about the venue’s name and whether we should still be harking back to Tony Wilson in 2023.

Well, some news on that front. The building now has a new name afte…