Manchester City Council’s vision for a complete overhaul of Moston’s centre is on the horizon - and they want the community to have their say on what should be included.
Moston Lane is the economic heart of the area and the council has produced a development framework to help guide investment over the coming years. This multi-million pound vision, aided by the council’s successful Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) bid, hopes to bring a new public square and encourage locals to spend more time in the centre.
The funding will be used for a range of projects in and around Moston Lane, including enhancements to two public spaces at Moston Green and the Peace Gardens.
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There will also be investment in local heritage assets as well as wider work to improve the local environment that includes new alley gates and commercial bin stores.
The council has highlighted that visiting the district centre and its various heritage buildings is undermined by the volume of traffic, informal car parking and limited opportunities for meeting and spending time in the area with friends and family. Additionally, ‘The Lane’ also suffers from poor active travel opportunities, which means visitors are more likely to travel by car rather than walking and cycling.
A key aim of the proposals is 'to invest in a Moston Lane that puts people at the heart of the district centre' – rather than the car – leading to a greener, more attractive and sustainable destination, enhancing the existing public spaces and creating a definite sense of place. ‘The Lane’ is surrounded by attractive green spaces – including Boggart Hole Clough, Moston Vale, Broadhurst Fields and Broadhurst Clough - and the proposals would look to promote improved sustainable travel through the wider neighbourhood.
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The framework also responds to high demand for new housing in the city and the potential for Moston to support the delivery of more modern affordable family housing using across a number of identified sites.
Coun Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “Moston Lane is an important hub for local people and is home to a good range of independent shops – and some beautiful examples of historical buildings that really tell of the destination neighbourhood centre that it used to be, and indeed could be again. We shouldn’t deny that the Lane presents some challenges but this development framework presents a vision for Moston that will help the area meet its huge potential.
“The focus for us is to ensure that people are at the heart of the investment, creating a pedestrian-led high street that is greener and that promotes sustainable and active travel. We also have the opportunity to deliver a significant number of affordable homes and attract new residents to Moston.
“Importantly, we need feedback from the people who live and breathe Moston Lane. This input is invaluable and will help guide future development.”
Public consultation opened today (June 26) and locals have been urged to have their say on the long-term vision for Moston Lane. Consultation will close on Friday, July 23 and the findings will be presented to a future meeting of the council’s executive committee.
Public drop-in sessions will take place at Simpson Memorial Hall:
- Thursday, July 13, 3 – 6pm
- Saturday, July 15, 12 noon – 3pm
To have your say on the consultation, click here
