Manchester green lights housing-led Gorton vision

The city council has approved a strategy that could deliver 400 homes and various other interventions across the district centre. 

Manchester City Council’s executive approved the Gorton district centre masterplan yesterday, along with another framework outline proposals for the transformation of Wythenshawe. 

Read more about the Wythenshawe plans, which feature 1,500 homes. 

The adoption of the Gorton strategy, drawn up by OPEN and Cushman & Wakefield, follows a period of public consultation on the proposals. 

As well as mixed tenure housing delivered on brownfield sites, the framework outlines plans to improve public realm and upgrade and futureproof the indoor market. 

Key opportunities 

North of Garratt Way – the area around Sibley Street, Wellington Street and Hampden Crescent  

This six-acre site could accomodate new apartments and townhouses, including the former library site, and a reconfiguration of the gymnastics centre, with a focus on delivering a mix of affordable housing types.  

This area could also provide new commercial, retail and food and drink venues – alongside improved footpaths and cycle paths, according to the city council.  

Gorton Market and the surrounding area   

This could include improving or remodeling the market building and creating a larger external space for the outdoor market.   

Plans could also see the development of the Wellington Street area including housing, commercial and retail opportunities.   

Garratt Way and the Gorton Hub ‘loop’  

This area presents the opportunity to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment to drive footfall. 

“The recent consultation has given us some real impetus to push forward with further investment in the Gorton District Centre,” said Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development. 

 “There are some key areas from the responses that we will now ensure are key principles for development, including new affordable housing, a new public square and more shops – but also to assure a future for the Gymnastics centre, which has had a home in the local area for some time.”