FEC steps up Northern Gateway with new hire

Far East Consortium, Manchester City Council’s development partner for the £1bn Northern Gateway regeneration programme, has appointed Rebecca Kirkland as community liaison manager.

Kirkland joins FEC from housing association Regenda Homes, where she worked for 15 years, most recently as regeneration and employment officer responsible for coordinating asset-based community projects.

During her time at Regenda, she led on the 10-year regeneration of Limehurst and Hollinwood in Oldham, working with local organisations to try to achieve positive social, economic and environmental outcomes from the redevelopment project.

Kirkland will aim to replicate this work in the newly created role at FEC, as the developer begins to execute a masterplan to deliver up to 15,000 new homes across north Manchester over the next 10 to 15 years.

The latest phase of consultation on the Northern Gateway proposals launched last month, ahead of plans being submitted for the first 270 new homes, to be split across the neighbourhoods of Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst.

This phase is also planned to include 130 council homes for social rent.

Kirkland will be responsible for working in partnership with stakeholders including Manchester City Council and local community groups and businesses, to ensure social commitments can be delivered via a range of engagement projects. Such initiatives may include creative arts, ‘grow your own’ programmes, walking clubs, engagement with primary and secondary schools, and promoting local training and employment opportunities.

“Investing in people and place and strengthening skills and capacity all contribute to long-term transformation,” Kirkland said. “Working collaboratively with local organisations maximises impact, and achieves wider social, economic and environmental outcomes in the communities we develop.

“FEC Manchester aims to support community growth and spark positive change in the areas we develop, and our social investment strategy has the foundations to create strong partnerships with stakeholders as we realise the vision for the area.”

 

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Exciting development for Manchester,.unless you’re an Ancoats resident.

By Dan

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