Wythenshawe town centre is set to undergo a major regeneration in the coming years, the Council has announced.
Manchester City Council has today (October 17) confirmed that it has acquired the long lease of the town centre from St. Modwen. The authority says this is the first step in revitalising the south Manchester suburb’s fortunes.
The aim of the redevelopment work will be to create a ‘large new focal point for the local community in a new civic square that celebrates Wythenshawe’s roots as a garden city, developing open areas for planting, trees, and boulevard-style public realm’ it has said. The plans also include building thousands of new homes, many of which will be affordable, on existing Council-owned brownfield land.
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“The ambitious vision includes a new cultural hub, food hall and workspace – as well as helping to fund decarbonisation investment in the existing building, while creating hundreds of new jobs,” a statement from the Council said. “The City Council will undertake a consultation with local people and businesses in the autumn to share proposals and get invaluable feedback from the communities who use the centre every day.”
A £20 million Levelling Up bid was submitted to the government in August, which will bring in a culture hub, food hall, offices, a new civic square and public realm, and retrofitting buildings to make them more energy-efficient.
The long lease for the town centre will now transfer from St. Modwen to the City Council and the town centre will be managed by Savills.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, added: “It’s encouraging to see the plans for Wythenshawe town centre move on at pace. We know it’s the heart of the local community and our ambition is to transform the centre and realise its massive potential for our residents who rely on it daily.
“Central to the proposals will be to create a new green, attractive public square and invest in things that will make the town centre an exciting place to visit, shop and access services – and will create hundreds of new jobs. We will begin consultation with local residents and businesses soon about our proposals – including thousands of new homes – and we hope as many people as possible will take part. Your views will be invaluable and we’re looking forward to sharing more details soon.”
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