Three major masterplans that will shape the future of Manchester have been redrawn in a move to boost the city's economy and create new green spaces. The former Central Retail Park, which is set to become government offices, will now feature a park following a public backlash against the previous plans.
A 'world leading' life science research and development facility is set to be built in Oxford Road Corridor as part of the Manchester Science Park plans. And proposals for a new 'vibrant' and 'commercially-led' neighbourhood near Manchester Piccadilly have also been set out ahead of the station's expansion.
Manchester council waved through the new plans at an executive meeting on Wednesday (December 14), putting them forward to the public for feedback. It comes around a year after Labour councillor Bev Craig took over the top job at the town hall, ending Sir Richard Leese's the 25-year reign as council leader.
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Local councillors said the previous proposals for the former retail complex off Great Ancoats Street put them 'at odds' with some people in the ruling party. But the new leader has 'listened' to the concerns of residents and campaign groups who called for more green space to be created on the 10.5-acre site.
Speaking at the executive meeting, Coun Craig said the plans to create 20m sq ft of office space at the site could be a 'game changer' for jobs in the city. She said: "In this current climate, when we're finding it so difficult economically in the country to still see people interested in moving, building and developing, this is a great vote of confidence for the city."
The local authority purchased Central Retail Park, which was once home to high street brands like Toys R Us, Argos and Mothercare, for £37m in 2017. Hundreds of objections were raised by Trees Not Cars campaigners when plans to use the land temporarily into a paid-for car park were announced.
The site was turned into a Covid testing centre during the pandemic and has since been used by skateboarders who have made the most of the empty plot. Local councillors have been lobbying for skating facilities to be created as part of the plans to redevelop the site, but this did not feature in the latest refresh.
However, a new public park named 'The Garden' is at the centre of the plans. The Lib Dems, who beat Labour at a by-election in the Ancoats and Beswick ward earlier this year, credited the addition of the park to local campaigners.
But Labour councillors Majid Dar and Irene Robinson say they also fought for the development at the site not to come at the expense of the environment. Coun Dar said: "Our industrial heritage meant we were once an area that was the economic heart of the city, but not an area where residents could enjoy the natural beauty of the ward.
"The success of Ancoats and New Islington is a well-celebrated one. We want the success to continue but becoming the home to many thousands of our residents, we want more green and public space."
Nearby, a 'refocussed commercially-led' neighbourhood has been added to the refreshed masterplan for the area around Manchester Piccadilly Station. The vision for the East Village Central Framework includes both commercial and residential space to be 'anchored' by accessible green and open spaces.
The plan is part of the city's preparation for the 'once-in-a-century-opportunity' that comes with high-speed rail and other new train lines. On the edge of the city centre, a 'world leading' life sciences research and development (R&D) facility is set to be built within the Oxford Road Corridor.
The Manchester Science Park plans would see the mostly empty Greenheys Building and two terraced houses replaced by a six-storey 'state-of-the-art' office and lab space for R&D, life science, digital and technology businesses. The updated strategic regeneration framework and new addendums are set to be open to a public consultation before being rubber stamped by the council.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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