Public to have say on Collyhurst project’s next stage
Far East Consortium has opened a fresh round of consultation on the Manchester district, which falls within the wider £4bn Victoria North masterplan for 15,000 homes.
Victoria North, the £4bn FEC joint venture with Manchester City Council, is earmarked to happen across the next two decades.
Consultation on Collyhurst opened today, Wednesday 13 March, after an initial year-long community engagement period led by the scheme’s masterplanning team.
This is formed by lead architect Mæ, along with Turner.Works handling the meanwhile uses aspect, Schulze+Grassov covering landscape and public realm, and IF_DO architects overseeing community engagement.
Up to 3,000 new homes, with a focus on affordability, could be built in Collyhurst in the long-term, according to the findings of modelling undertaken as part of the strategic regeneration framework for Victoria North.
The first homes being delivered in Collyhurst under the regeneration programme are expected to be completed this year, according to Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development.
Site work is up and running at Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst to deliver 274 low carbon homes – including 130 homes for social rent – and the first phase of New Collyhurst Park.
A detailed masterplan is expected to emerge in the coming months.
According to residents’ feedback collated so far, they are eager to see the ‘essence’ of Collyhurst retained, the introduce of more green spaces, more amenities for young people and social housing for the community.
Taking this on board the team has designed what is described as a ‘social seam’ to run through the heart of Collyhurst and form part of Victoria North’s new 46-acre City River Park.
This will be in the form of a new active travel route designed to better connect the neighbourhood, with more walking and cycling routes.
There will also be a new village park, urban play areas, space for markets and pop-ups, and biodiverse nature trails.
Victoria Hunter, project director at FEC, said: “The feedback we’ve received from residents in-and-around Collyhurst has been invaluable.
“They’ve shared insight on the aspects of the community that they cherish and also where they see the potential to enhance what’s on offer, and create a greener, more connected neighbourhood.
“We know how important it is to enrich Collyhurst’s own sense of place. The ‘social seam’ supports a better-connected community by providing enhanced amenities throughout the neighbourhood, introducing new elements for play and recreation, more social spaces and greener parks.
“This is the cornerstone for the entire Victoria North programme, promoting regeneration that will catalyse communities and create much-needed housing and public amenities.
“We can’t wait to hear what residents think of the vision and how we can create a masterplan that captures the fabric of Collyhurst.”
Cllr White added: “It’s right that we began the ambitious Victoria North programme here in Collyhurst to make sure that the communities that would benefit most from the investment did so as quickly as possible.
“We know that this community wants more affordable housing, new green spaces and parks, health facilities, and things to do for young and local people.
“The team has made sure these principles are at the heart of the proposals for the area – and this is the chance for local people to give more feedback before a long-term masterplan is developed for the Collyhurst community.”
A consultation event this afternoon at Kylie’s Kitchen (43 Southchurch Parade) from 3pm-7pm on Wednesday 13 March. Residents can also share feedback on the plans online here.
