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”.
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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.
Manchester City Council / FEC
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”.
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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.
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Initial developments across the two neighbourhoods are expected to deliver 130 new affordable homes.
Manchester City Council / FECManchester City Council / FEC
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.
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“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.
Manchester City Council / FEC
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.”
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Work is expected to begin on the Collyhurst Regeneration this summer, with delivery scheduled for completion in summer 2024.
Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
News
Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.