Initial work to construct a business park on a popular area of greenery in New Islington has started this month — prompting one councillor in the area now calling for a new park to be built in the vicinity to make up for the loss of grassland.
The area of grass around the New Islington Metrolink stop has become a popular spot for dog-walkers, runners, and picnics but a fortnight ago (September 5), diggers moved in to start investigatory works ahead of a full programme of building on the new complex. Electric Park, as it will be known, will consist of five buildings designed for small and medium businesses.
As part of the plans, there is a commitment from developer General Projects to retain two-and-a-half acres of green space; down from the existing four acres but which a spokesperson has told the MEN will be ‘significantly better quality’. There is also a commitment to increase biodiversity by 30 percent.
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However, residents around the green say the work is ‘terrible’ for the area and ‘disappointing’. One of those is mum-of-one Laura, 42, who lives on Every Street.
She said: “We are disappointed. It has made me really sad. It’s the kids’ park. Everybody that lives here without gardens, it’s one of the only bits [of green space].
“I think they should just leave it. It’s not a lot of green space. When it's sunny, the community use it so well and nicely. It’s a really nice and safe space for the kids to play.”
And Callum Jones, visiting the nearby Tool Station, also was no fan of the work. The 52-year-old explained why: “It’s terrible. They are building everywhere, this isn’t London. There’s too much.
“It was well-used in lockdown. Just leave it. Canadian Geese are all over it aren’t they? Where else is there going to be?”
And 29-year-old Elliott Eyles, who has just moved to the area with his dog Ghost, added it was a ‘shame’ to see the work begin. He continued: “I think they are keeping the tiniest little patch.
“I do not have somewhere as close to take [Ghost] to the toilet. We often go to the Marina, but that’s it.”
Now, Liberal Democrat councillor Alan Good has now called for a new park to be built in the area to make up for this loss. He said: “We still haven’t heard about plans for any new green space in Ancoats or New Islington, meanwhile hundreds of new people move into the area each year.
“The city urgently needs joined-up thinking to create world class green spaces at the heart of our city centre neighbourhoods.”
The councillor, elected in a by-election in February of this year for the Ancoats and Beswick ward, added that the land had become New Islington’s “village green” and that “a bit of concrete landscaping in the middle of office blocks is not a suitable replacement”.
In response to the calls put forward by Coun Good, Manchester City Council's executive member for housing and development, Gavin White said: "Ancoats and New Islington has enjoyed major public realm investment in recent years, not least the transformation of the New Islington Marina - and the refurbishment of the adjacent Cotton Field Park. This area is incredibly popular and is a huge asset for this part of the city centre.
"Electric Park will complement the investment in this area as one of the city's first green campuses featuring more than two acres of high-quality green space and underpinned by a car-free, low carbon approach.
"The Council has also recently announced a £32m full funded package of public realm and green investment in Ancoats. One of the key principles is to develop Ancoats Green as the green heart of the neighbourhood and create a multi-functional space for the local community. This investment will also deliver wider public realm improvements in this area and increase options for active travel - creating a more sustainable and low-traffic neighbourhood.
"Less than ten minutes away on foot, the transformational project to deliver the new 6.5 acre Mayfield Park is also nearing completion, which will create a green oasis at the heart of our city. We absolutely believe in the benefits of increasing access to green space for our residents - which is why green investment and high quality public realm is central to our approach to low carbon development in Manchester."
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