Manchester to create first new conservation areas since the 1990s

Following a review of its protected neighbourhoods as part of the local plan process, the city council has identified seven locations it thinks should be afforded extra protections. 

Manchester City Council currently has 35 conservation areas, defined as areas of “special architectural or historic interest the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.  

Now, following a review conducted by Donald Insall Associates, the local authority wants to create new conservation areas in: 

• Ardwick Green – the area immediately surrounding the park of the same name, including the red brick Tanzaro House to the west 
• Burnage Garden Village – east of Burnage Lane around the great space at the heart North, East, West, and South avenues 
• Chorlton-upon-Medlock New Mills – land around Great Marlborough Street and Cambridge Street including the burnt out Hotspur Press mill 
• Didsbury Village – land around Churchwood Road, Davenfield Road, and Grove Lane 
• Fallowfield – land north and south of Brook Road incorporating Amherst Road and Clifton Avenue 
• Moon Grove – the cobbled Moon Grove off Dickenson Road in Rusholme  
• Spath Road and Victoria Avenue – the residential area between Spath Road and Barlow Moor Road in Didsbury 

The boundaries of each conservation area can be viewed here .

If approved, Manchester would have 42 conservation areas. The seven new allocations would be the first to be added since the 1990s. Developers seeking planning permission in these areas must show they have considered and mitigated against impacts on the area’s character.

The following Manchester conservation areas remain unchanged: 

• Albert Square 
• Ancoats 
• Ballbrook 
• Brooklands Road 
• Castlefield  
• Chorlton Green  
• Chorltonville  
• Crab Lane  
• Crumpsall Lane  
• Deansgate/Peter Street  
• George Street  
• Hermitage Road  
• Northenden  
• Old Broadway  
• Parsonage Gardens  
• St Ann’s Square  
• St John’s  
• St Peter’s Square 

The following are subject to minor tweaks: 

• Albert Park 
• Blackburn Park  
• Cathedral Chorlton Wilbraham Road/Edge Lane 
• Crumpsall Green  
• Didsbury St James 
• Gore Brook Valley 
• Newton Heath/Graver Lane 
• Rushford Park 
• Shudehill  
• Smithfield  
• Stevenson Square  
• Upper King Street  
• Victoria Park  
• Whalley Range  
• Whitworth Street  
• Withington