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.
First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home
Thomas Melia
Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.
Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.
You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.
There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.
Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.
Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.
There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?
Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).
And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.
Drivers warned of ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter
Emily Sergeant
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ on the roads that could seem them hit with hefty fines as winter rolls around.
Once the temperatures drop, and the days get shorter and darker, fog tends to become a more common weather occurrence around this time of year – but an eye-opening new survey has found that most drivers don’t really how to use their fog lights correctly.
According to guidance from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), fog lights should only be used on British roads when visibility drops below 100 metres, yet the new research by eBay has found that 60% of drivers use their fog lights at the wrong times, and what’s more is that one in 10 say they switch on their fog lights when visibility is less than 300 metres.
48% of drivers who took part in the research admitted that they activate full-beam headlights when it’s dark, regardless of oncoming traffic and other road users.
Drivers are being warned of a ‘bad habit’ that could land them with £1,000 fines this winter / Credit: Nabeel Syed (via Unsplash)
The RAC says these stats reveal a ‘worrying trend’ among motorists, and have warned that these habits could actually means drivers are risking fines of up to £1,000 and three penalty points on their licence.
If the incorrect usage of fog lights wasn’t bad enough as it is, the new research also found that many Brits say they do not stay on-top of regular car maintenance when it comes to car fog lights, either – with just 15% saying they check them every month, and shockingly, 24% stating they’ve never checked them before.
Due to the ongoing issue of headlight glare, in whatever form that may be, The RAC has found that as many as one in four drivers (25%) who find headlights ‘too bright’ are actually driving less as a result.
“Unfortunately for a lot of drivers, the annual onset of darker evenings coincides with another unwelcome arrival – that of overly-bright headlights that they believe make driving more difficult due to dazzle and discomfort,” explained Rod Dennis, who is the Senior Policy Officer at the RAC.
“While most of us have no choice other than to adapt to driving at night more often as the clocks go back, the fact headlight glare is the leading cause of nervousness underlines it’s a problem that needs tackling.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that brighter headlights can give drivers a better view of the road ahead, so there’s a balance to be struck.”
Emily Sergeant -
16th February 2021 
