THING OF THE WEEK

GREEN BY NAME… It is great when a plan comes together, and that is exactly what is starting to happen in Ardwick. In 2021, the city council adopted the Ardwick Green neighbourhood development framework, aimed at creating a “vibrant community” across more than 50 acres south of the £1bn Mayfield regeneration project. Plans for the first new homes since the adoption of the framework, designed by CODA, have now been lodged with the city council. Providing 16 townhouses, the scheme’s verdant accents complement its location fronting Ardwick Green. To learn more, search for reference number 135857/FO/2022 on Manchester’s planning portal. 

⁦@factoryintl⁩ and first breath pic.twitter.com/RAzz4hv1ae

— Tom Bloxham (@TomBloxhamMBE) January 17, 2023

STRANGE STROBES… An uninformed glance up at Manchester’s night sky recently may give cause for concern. To the untrained eye, the beam of light that can be seen pulsing ominously once the sun goes down may look suspiciously like an attempt at alien abduction or a summons for a certain DC superhero. But you can relax. The beam is part of Luke Jerram’s First Breath art exhibition that THING reported on back in November. Since the start of the year, the beam has been pulsing away to mark the first breaths of babies born in Manchester and Salford. And people have really enjoyed it, not least Urban Splash founder Tom Bloxham.

Credit: c. John Haynes via CC BY sa 2.0 bit.ly/3XEQdAL

LIFE IS A HIGHWAY… The Four Great Highways are set for a visitor boost with Denbighshire Council’s latest plans for the project. Llangollen’s highways boast spectacular scenery and rich industrial heritage, and the local authority wants the world to see. Development plans include improved pedestrian access and a viewing platform overlooking the River Dee, situated along the Llangollen Bridge. Dee-licious.

Leader Cllr Ian Maher is not happy. Credit: via Sefton Council

A SLAP IN THE FACE… The reaction to the government’s Levelling Up Fund announcements this week has been split. While the winners have praised Whitehall’s approach to addressing regional inequalities, those who missed out have slammed Michael Gove’s department for failing to see the merit in potentially transformative projects. Cllr Ian Maher, leader of Sefton Council, said the decision not to award the authority the £30m it asked for to redevelop Bootle and Crosby town centres was a “slap in the face”. “By once again ignoring our bids that would have supported the revitalisation of Bootle and Crosby, the government has confirmed it has no interest in real levelling up in this country,” Maher said. There was never going to be enough cash in the pot to satisfy everyone but if you don’t buy a ticket, you won’t win the raffle. The only problem is the price of the ticket. 

We’re so excited to announce that the host of our 2023 North West Homebuilder Awards is none other than @JohnnyThomson2!

He’ll be compèring our evening and presenting our winners with their awards 🏆

It’s going to be a great evening of celebrations and entertainment! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/KbAUB6DGxp

— North West Homebuilder Awards (@NWhomebuilder) January 16, 2023

COLD FEET… Last week Cowgills was teasing as to the identity of the host of its 2023 North West Homebuilder Awards. Last year, legendary TV personality Jenny Powell orchestrated proceedings. Now, Cowgills has now revealed that this year’s event will see Salford-born actor and comedian John Thomson compere the ceremony. Let’s hope Thomson, known for his many collaborations with Steve Coogan, doesn’t get cold feet.