Tameside hunts for Hyde masterplan consultant
The council is soliciting quotes from multidisciplinary firms to create a masterplan and implementation strategy for Hyde town centre.
In procurement documents, the council noted that Hyde’s town centre has suffered as competition increased from neighbouring communities and retail combatted both the pandemic and the rise of e-commerce.
With the prospect of 2,150 homes being built nearby at Godley Green, Tameside Council thinks now is the time to develop a vision for Hyde’s town centre. The council noted the potential of the area, including its transit links to Manchester and the fact the council owns several buildings in the town centre.
The future strategic vision would leverage both of these advantages and look for ways of enhancing Hyde’s transportation offer. It would also create “inviting” pedestrian routes between the rail station, bus station and town centre and within the town centre itself.
Tameside Council noted that the core of the town centre is lacking in “good quality open, green and landscape areas where people can dwell”.
The council is looking for a multidisciplinary practice that can prepare a strategic vision that will promote the town centre, attract investment and secure confidence in Hyde’s future.
The successful applicant will also craft a spatial and development framework for the area, as well as a variety of implementation strategies. These strategies should include both long-term plans as well as ones that can be delivered within two to five years.
The deadline for quotes to be submitted is noon on 21 June. The council will appoint a consultancy in July, with the idea of adopting the strategic vision in autumn.
Details regarding the project can be found on Proactis.
Excellent. I can recall Hyde when I was a young teenager – a vibrant town with a super market. Later, my wife taught in Hyde. Yes it has declined, but as a gateway to the Pennines and being on motorway and with good rail links to the Regional Centre it has much potential. It needs a Masterplan which recognises and capitalises on Hyde’s heritage.
By Roy G Chapman