This regeneration scheme forms part of the city’s £4 billion Northern Gateway project.
The proposals – which represent the first major regeneration of the area in 50 years – feature 244 new homes, comprising a mix of town houses and apartments, including 100 homes for social rent, and a new 1.3 hectare public park.
The diverse range of homes is intended to cater for a mix of families, young professionals and older residents, as the joint venture looks to create a sustainable neighbourhood for current and future generations.
As part of the Collyhurst Village proposals, the first phase of New Collyhurst Park will deliver a new public green space for Manchester, with more than 450 trees expected to be planted as part of a network of green links to the surrounding village, and according to Manchester City Council, the masterplan for the area also includes almost 2,000 sq ft of neighbourhood-focused commercial and retail space, as the joint venture partnership looks to “improve community assets and provide new inclusive public realm spaces for residents”.
ADVERTISEMENT
The planning application – which has been submitted to Manchester City Council’s Planning & Highways Committee – follows a three-phased public consultation delivered by FEC in 2020.
More than 2,500 people – including local residents – took part across both physical and digital consultations, with the first phase of plans said to “reflect local appetite for increased connectivity, green space and the continued celebration of Collyhurst’s identity and heritage”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Responses to the consultation overwhelmingly supported the proposals, with respondents equally positive that they met the needs of the community in Collyhurst.
The proposals represent part of the first phase of the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Manchester City Council and FEC’s redevelopment of parts of North Manchester – other neighbourhoods involved in the first phase of development include Red Bank and New Cross – which is aiming to deliver up to 15,000 new homes, while rejuvenating disused land over the next 15 years.
And detailed proposals for a second scheme to be delivered within neighbouring South Collyhurst – one of the seven neighbourhoods to be developed as part of the overall Framework – are expected later this year.
ADVERTISEMENT
Initial developments across the two neighbourhoods are expected to deliver 130 new affordable homes.
Speaking on the plans submitted and the release of the first computer-generated images to coincide with this, Cllr Suzanne Richards – Executive Member for Housing and Regeneration at Manchester City Council – said: “Submitting the first planning application for Collyhurst Village is a landmark moment for local people and represents the beginning of the end of a long journey for residents in the area who have been waiting for this investment in their community.
“The Northern Gateway project is hugely exciting for Manchester.
“Given the economic impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our towns and cities, the continuation of this investment is encouraging as a marker of confidence that our city will recover and thrive once COVID is behind us.”
She also thanked everyone who took part in the consultation last year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The number of responses was brilliant and input from the people who live in the area has provided invaluable insight to help guide the principles of development” she added.
Victoria Hunter – Development Manager at FEC – also added: “Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen the overriding importance of tight-knit communities, and the role access to high quality homes, sustainable community assets and green space have to play in facilitating them.
“Working with and for the people of Collyhurst, who have informed this application, it’s our ambition to deliver a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood that has unique and lasting appeal for both existing and new residents.
“In doing so, we plan to champion the area’s heritage and its residents as part of the wider regeneration framework, improving connections to the city while celebrating Collyhurst’s iconic red sandstone which forms the fabric of Manchester as we know it.”
___
ADVERTISEMENT
Work is expected to begin on the Collyhurst Regeneration this summer, with delivery scheduled for completion in summer 2024.
Pubs can extend their opening hours if England make it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals
Emily Sergeant
Pubs are to be permitted to extend their opening hours if England make it through to the semi-finals of EURO 2024 this summer.
With the Premier League, and the English and Scottish football leagues, all drawing to a close over the next couple of weeks, our nations are already looking ahead to what is gearing up to be a massive summer of sport – with both the UEFA EURO 2024, and the 2024 Olympics coming up before August is out.
And now, it’s been revealed by Home Secretary James Cleverly that if either England or Scotland’s mens national football teams make it to the semi-final of European football’s flagship tournament, then pubs will be allowed to stay open for longer.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… because isn’t there always?
The Government has said that venues will be allowed to stay open for an extra two hours on match days if either or both teams reach the last four or the final of the competition, but this only applies to pubs that already have a license to open until 11pm anyway.
The move to extend opening hours comes after a consultation at the end of last year, and is hoped to provide a boost to the hospitality industry – which has notably been hit hard during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The Home Secretaries in England and Wales, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, but the Scottish and Northern Irish Governments have to set their own rules.
“We have listened to the public through our consultation,” explained Home Secretary James Cleverley, “and we will be extending pub licensing hours should England or Scotland reach the semi-finals or final of Euro 2024.”
The EURO 2024 semi-finals are to be held on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July / Credit: UEFA
Mr Cleverley said the move will “allow friends, families and communities to come together for longer to watch their nation hopefully bring it home”.
This legislation is set to be laid in Parliament today (Wednesday 8 May) to ensure there is enough time for it to be debated and passed before the tournament begins on Friday 14 June, the Government has confirmed.
Man charged in connection with broad daylight murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged in connection with the tragic murder of 51-year-old woman in Tameside last year.
Michelle Hodgkinson had been walking along Edge Lane in the Droylsden area of Tameside on Friday 2 June 2023 when she was approached by a male and stabbed to death in broad daylight.
The 51-year-old had was said to have just been going about her day, and was walking to meet her mum so that she could take her shopping when the horrific incident occurred, and although emergency services rushed to the scene, despite their best efforts, she was pronounced dead a short while later.
— Tameside South and West Police (GMP) (@GMPTamesideS) June 4, 2023
But now, following a lengthy investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Major Incident Team, a man has been charged with murder in connection with Michelle’s death.
Paul Hughes, 29, was yesterday (Tuesday 7 May) charged with murder, GMP has confirmed, and he has been remanded in a secure mental health hospital, where he remains under treatment.
He will next appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates court on Thursday 6 June.
Commenting on the charging of Mr Hughes, Detective Inspector Danny Lee, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, took a moment to stress to the Greater Manchester public that Michelle’s death is a “very rare type of incident”.
#CHARGED | We have charged a man with murder after a lengthy investigation and continue to appeal for any further evidence.
This was after Michelle Hodgkinson was sadly stabbed and died from her injuries in #Droylsden back in June 2023.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 7, 2024
DI Lee explained: “We understand this tragedy may have increased the community concerns in relation to knife crime, but we would like to stress this is a very rare type of incident. However, at the heart of this incident, a loved one has been torn away, and our thoughts remain with Michelle’s family, whom we continue to support with specialist officers.”
Following Mr Hughes’ charging, GMP has also reissued its public appeal for information, and is urging any witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1353 of 02/06/2023, or information can be shared anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.