Collyhurst proposals aired as Northern Gateway advances
The next phase of consultation has begun with local residents, businesses and groups on Manchester’s Northern Gateway proposals, ahead of plans being submitted for the first 270 new homes in Collyhurst.
Initial consultation took place in February of this year on a proposal for housing split across two neighbourhoods, Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst. This phase of development will also include 130 council homes for social rent, a topic that was aired prominently in the recent BBC series Manctopia.
Collyhurst is a key part of the Northern Gateway, the £1bn masterplan to deliver 15,000 homes over 15 to 20 years to the north of the city centre, which is being advanced by Manchester City Council and its partner Far East Consortium. Earlier this month, FEC launched its search for an affordable housing partner for the Red Bank part of the Northern Gateway.
The partners said that through previous dialogue, residents have expressed a preference for a mix of new homes, including accessible housing, family-friendly and age-friendly designs, alongside attractive residential streets, with a focus on safety and security. This phase of engagement is intended to provide more detailed information about the different types of homes that will be available.
Proposals for Collyhurst Village also include a new park and as part of the consultation, local people are asked to consider what should be included within this space. The majority of the land required for the first phase of development is ready to build new homes on.
The wider proposals for the area – including the new park – could require the demolition of up to 28 existing homes. Residents who are affected by the plans have already been contacted and are to be supported in moving into the new homes.
MCC and FEC stressed that no existing homes will be demolished in Collyhurst until the new replacement homes have been built.
The consultation will be in line with Covid-related public health regulations, with methods of examining the plans including a virtual exhibition.
Final proposals that will form the planning application for the first phase of development within Collyhurst will be presented to the local community later this year ahead of planning submission.
The consultation will close on Friday 16 October.
