Manchester’s former Central Retail Park is finally expected to feature a public park following years of battles between campaigners and the council over the future of the site.
The former retail complex, on Great Ancoats Street, closed down in 2019 — and used to house household brand such as Toys R Us and Argos. The Council purchased the site in 2017 for £37 million.
Since the bulldozers moved out, there has been a saga over the future of the 10.5 acre site. Hundreds of objections were raised by Trees Not Cars campaigners when initial plans to convert the land into a paid-for car park were announced.
READ MORE: Ambitious three-storey restaurant planned at iconic location in Manchester
Then, over the pandemic, its future lay in limbo. In the interim, skateboarders moved into the empty plot , and called on councillors for the Ancoats and Beswick ward to lobby for skating facilities in whatever came next for the complex.
Now, Manchester City Council has released its latest report into the ex-retail destination, which was built in the 1980s. It wants to see the space become a ‘flagship, highly sustainable development’ — with the government looking at moving into the site.
“The former Central Retail Park is a key site and one of the final pieces of the puzzle in the long-term regeneration story of New Islington, which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in the city,” leader Bev Craig said.
“For decades the site has created a physical barrier between Great Ancoats Street and the growing community around New Islington Marina. Developing this site will create a new public link through to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and create a green space at the heart of the low-carbon commercial district.
“We have a real opportunity to create a flagship, highly sustainable development of renown – and we would encourage people to take part in the consultation. A six-week consultation will begin in early January and we invite feedback around the proposals for the site.”
Looking at more detailed documents also reveal that the council is planning to include a space called ‘The Garden’ — and will be a new public park, officials say. The report said: “The Garden could be the largest green space on the site and sits at the centre of the masterplan.
"It will be very closely linked to Cotton Field Park through both strong physical connections and also extending the design elements of the park through the materials of hard and soft landscape."
This is welcome news to Liberal Democrats in the area, with the party’s Coun Alan Good representing the ward since early 2022. His counterpart is Chris Northwood.
“It is great to see the need for a new Central Park for Ancoats has finally been recognised, even if it's taken Labour several years and an election defeat to catch up,” she said.
“We will scrutinise these proposals closely and ensure resident’s voices are heard. At first glance the park looks like it could be enlarged, and we always want to include true affordable housing on public developments like this.”
The Council’s ambitions also include creating 20 million sq ft of office space by 2037, adding new retail and leisure facilities to the space, and improving public realm in the area.
The report will be discussed at next week’s Council Executive meeting, on Wednesday December 17, at 2pm.
Read today's top stories here.
Read next:
- Manchester hotel named among "100 best places to stay in 2023"
- The new Manchester hotel in an "amazing location" with rooms from £75 a night
- Ambitious three-storey restaurant planned at iconic location in Manchester
- Famous London bakery Gail's to open first north west store
- Manchester's best small gigs in November 2022
