Sign-off nears for 4,500-home Holt Town vision as fresh images emerge
Manchester City Council’s executive will meet next week to adopt a framework to guide the redevelopment of 74 acres of brownfield land into what the authority is dubbing a “woodland town”.
Fresh images showing what Holt Town, located between the city centre and East Manchester, could look like have been released.
Scroll down to see the latest Holt Town images
Drawn up by a team of consultants led by Studio Egret West, the Holt Town vision is for a 4,500-home neighbourhood that is rooted in nature, champions sustainability, and prioritises people.
As well as thousands of homes – at least 20% of which would be affordable – the area will feature 15 acres of green space, a 1km play street, a lido, and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said Holt Town has “huge potential”.
“This [development framework] is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester,” she said.
“We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people.”
A consultation on the vision held last year generated a “positive” response from those who participated, according to the city council.
The vision sets out a direction of travel but deliverability of the aims will require the city council to take a proactive approach to land assembly. Holt Town is in fractured ownership, which means a CPO will likely be required to pave the way for redevelopment.
Craig added: “This neighbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.
“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”
The project team for Holt Town, in addition to Studio Egret West, includes planner Deloitte, digital engagement specialist Deetu, social value expert Hatch, transport engineer Hilson Moran, digital placemaking consultant MVRDV, and economic analyst Turley.
Click any image to launch gallery
- Credit: via MCC
- Credit: via MCC
- Credit: via MCC
- Credit: via MCC
- Credit: via MCC
