Manchester seeks views on Hough End rethink

Consultation has opened on development proposals for the playing fields complex south of the city centre.

Launching this process follows the development of revised plans, factoring in views and concerns raised on the back of the original development plans revealed earlier this year, said Manchester City Council.

Working with ISG and architect Ellis Williams, the council lodged plans in April for the project, but later rowed back as opposition mounted locally, complaints largely focusing on the fencing off of open areas.

Enhanced sustainability features are among the alterations made to the plans for the Princess Road facility. The project features the development of a two-storey leisure centre extension to accommodate changing facilities, community room/education space, café facilities, and health and fitness space to service sport and leisure users on site.

Externally, plans include two new full size artificial grass football pitches, improvements to grass playing fields, and revamped parking, to include new cycle parking and electric parking provision. Alongside this, there will be highway improvements to neighbouring roads.

The revised plans present a reduction in 3G pitch provision, equivalent size of 2 7-aside pitches and “the removal of the baseball and softball proposals to protect open green space and enable the development of the fields for enhanced community use in the long term”.

Cllr Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods at MCC, said: “We have listened carefully to all the residents’ feedback that we received before the summer, and we have used that strength of feeling and community knowledge to help shape these revised plans.

“Hough End Playing Fields are much loved and well used, and we want to make sure that the communities are on board and invested in our new proposals to enhance the facilities.

Consultation sessions will be held at Broughton Park rugby club on 29 November, 4 December and 8 December.