The joint venture partnership between Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium (FEC) has launched the next phase of its Northern Gateway consultation process, inviting local residents and stakeholders to help shape new investment in South Collyhurst.
The consultation, which concerns the creation of 30 new affordable homes in South Collyhurst, follows a major planning application submitted last month by the City Council and FEC for Collyhurst Village. Combined, the two neighbourhoods will deliver 274 new homes in the area – including 130 high-quality social rented homes and a new 1.3 hectare park.
This consultation will provide local residents with the opportunity to feedback on plans for land bound by Whitley Road and Winscombe Drive, with the ambition to develop high-quality accessible homes.
The proposals have been developed following initial community engagement. As such, low carbon family housing is central to the designs – which includes a mix of townhouses and low-rise apartments – with an expected split of 14 three-bedroom houses, 4 three-bedroom duplex apartments, 1 two-bedroom duplex apartment, and 11 two-bedroom apartments. The area will also be supported by bike storage, electric charging points, greening and garden spaces, along with the introduction of around 20 new trees.
The consultation for South Collyhurst will remain open until 1 April 2021. In line with Covid-19 restrictions, respondents will be able to view the plans online via a virtual exhibition (https://www.collyhurst-regeneration.co.uk/).
The proposals represent part of the first phase of the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Manchester City Council and FEC’s redevelopment for the £4bn (GDV) Northern Gateway project, which will deliver up to 15,000 new homes while regenerating disused land over the next 15 years.
The investment in Collyhurst Village follows a three-phase public consultation delivered by FEC in 2020. More than 2,500 people took part across both physical and digital consultations, with the plans reflecting local appetite for increased connectivity, green space and the continued celebration of Collyhurst’s identity and heritage.
Cllr Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “It’s important that we keep up the momentum for our plans for Collyhurst and I’m pleased to be able to invite residents to the next phase of consultation so soon after we celebrated the plans for Collyhurst Village last month.
“Once again, these proposals have been developed following earlier engagement with local people, and this insight has been invaluable. This is your chance to see what we have done with your ideas and have your say again before we develop final proposals for a planning submission.”
Victoria Hunter, development manager at FEC, said: “From the outset, our ambition has been to celebrate and champion the community in Collyhurst, improving facilities and connectivity to the city centre as part of wider regeneration across the north of the city. These plans, which will be further shaped and informed by local residents, are a critical first step. Combined with the designs submitted for Collyhurst Village, we hope to add to a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood that supports local people for generations to come.”