North Manchester is set to become home to a huge new public green space within the next couple of years.
Forming part of Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium’s (FEC) ‘Northern Gateway’ masterplan – recently rebranded as ‘Victoria North’ – to regenerate and rejuvenate over 390-acres of land into new communities over the next two decades, the proposed City River Park will boast 113 acres of landscaped green space.
Set to be completed by 2024 in the north eastern area of the city, City River Park is expected to incorporate part of St Catherine’s Wood and the River Irk.
Much of this land is currently disused and has sadly become somewhat of a fly-tipping hotspot.
City River Park has been described as “a park for the people”.
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A description of the proposed plans for the park on the Victoria North website reads: “At the heart of the regeneration is the City River Park, which covers 113 acres of new and improved parkland and will become one of Manchester’s largest city centre green spaces.
“The park will vary in character providing a diverse and active new recreational corridor for the community including parks and smaller amenity spaces.
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“City River Park will enhance existing habitats and create new habitats for wildlife, and be guided by climate positive design to create results which as carbon neutral as possible. Connectivity and accessibility are also key ensuring high quality pedestrian and cycle movement within luscious green spaces for active lifestyles and wellbeing”.
The £4 billion ‘Victoria North’ project will aim to create around 15,000 homes north of Manchester Victoria train station over the next 20 years, and is made up of seven neighbourhoods.
These neighbourhoods are: Collyhurst Village – which Manchester City Council and FEC submitted first phase regeneration plans for last month – Collyhurst South, New Cross, New Town, Red Bank, Vauxhall Gardens, and Smedley Dip and Eggington Street.
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Speaking on the decision to rebrand as ‘Victoria North’, Gavin Taylor – Regional General Manager at FEC in Manchester – said: “The Northern Gateway has served us well as a name as we shaped plans for the area’s regeneration, but as we begin to bring forward development this year, it’s the right time to start creating a sense of place for what will be a significant new district in Manchester, as well as an identity that people can engage with”.
He continued: “When taken together, Victoria North’s seven neighbourhoods are greater than the sum of their parts and we want there to be a sense of cohesion between them.
“Each area will have its own unique characteristics, meaning we can celebrate the rich identities of existing communities that we’re passionate about preserving, alongside new ones that we’re excited to be creating.”
Sir Richard Leese – Leader of Manchester City Council – added: “We are at the beginning of an incredibly exciting phase of history for this part of Manchester and with some eagerness to see how this potential unfolds”.
You can find more information about the Victoria North project here.
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Iconic Salford music venue The White Hotel to reopen under new ownership from 2027
Clementine Hall
After announcing plans to close at the end of the year, famed Manchester club The White Hotel is changing hands.
Just a couple of months ago back in May, it was announced that one of Greater Manchester’s most cutting-edge and best-loved nightlife venues would be closing its doors for good.
Despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, co-founder Ben Ward told The Guardian that the venue had found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
But it seems the swamp may live on…and although it is the end for the cult favourite nightclub as we know it, the former garage in Salford will be reopening in new ownership from 2027.
From January onwards, the disused Dickinson Street space will be known as BASTION according to a social media post shared to Instagram yesterday.
It will be run by the team who operate neighbouring venue The Bag Factory and will be supported by the Strange Art Collective CIC.
Images: The Manc
The Bag Factory shared a black and white illustration of the iconic White Hotel’s exterior, along with coordinates to the venue, stating: “The underground has a new stronghold”.
Rather cryptic we must say, and although we hope The White Hotel that we know and love could stick around forever – we hope the new owners will keep some of its magic alive.
‘Own a landmark, create a legacy’ – Historic chimney goes on sale for £300k in Bolton
Emily Sergeant
How would you like to live in a big chimney?
I know that might sound like an odd question, and in some respects, it is… but we’re being 100% genuine, as over in Bolton there is currently a historic local landmark on the market with planning permission to make it into your new home, and it’ll only set you back £300,000.
‘Only’ is a bit of a stretch, but when you consider the magnitude of this property, it’s surprising that you’re able to get your hands on it for such a reasonable price.
This is Barrow Bridge Chimney.
Rising above the tranquil stone cottages and wooded valley of the stunning model village that is Barrow Bridge, this striking Victorian chimney stands as a lone sentinel of Bolton’s proud industrial past – and now, with full planning permission secured, estate agents say it offers an ‘extraordinary opportunity’ to reimagine history as a truly one-of-a-kind home.
A historic chimney has gone on sale for £300k in Bolton / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
Originally built in the early 19th century as part of the ‘ambitious’ Dean Mills complex, the chimney once crowned a thriving cotton-spinning hub founded by Thomas Bazley, who was one of the Industrial Revolution’s great innovators.
Long after the mills fell silent though, the chimney endured and remained a local landmark in Smithills visible for miles, and today this relic of the steam age is ready for its next chapter.
Approved plans for the chimney are described as being a ‘bold’ residential conversion that will honour its industrial heritage, while still creating a dramatic modern dwelling like no other in the town.
The planning permission is in place for a two-storey residence of approximately 3,939 sq ft, with a striking contemporary design blended seamlessly with practical living.
The planning permission is in place for a ‘striking’ two-storey residence / Credit: Miller Metcalfe
The approved plans include three spacious bedrooms (two with en-suites), a family bathroom, a downstairs cloakroom, and a study that can easily adapted to a four-bedroom, four-bathroom layout to suit modern family life.
What makes this an even more attractive prospect for future buyers is that the chimney is well-connected to both amenities and nature – with both independent businesses, good local schools, and convenient transport links on the doorstep, as well as parks and tree-lined walks.
“This is your chance to own more than bricks and mortar,” estate agents Miller Metcalfe said.
“It’s a chance to live inside a landmark, to shape its story for future generations, and to call a piece of Bolton’s proud industrial heritage your own. Enquire now to discover how you can transform this iconic chimney into a legacy home that will stand for generations to come.”
Fancy it then? Take a look at the property on Rightmove here.
The Manc -
18th March 2021 
