Changes made to regeneration plans

Changes have been made to New East Manchester’s regeneration plans for the next decade following a major consultation exercise that involved 30,000 households in east Manchester.

Local people were asked to comment on a draft document that identified three core objectives and eight key priorities to guide the regeneration programme over the next ten years and to achieve the long term, sustainable regeneration of east Manchester.

The consultation process lasted for three months and included a range of different methods of involving residents from drop in sessions and leaflets to every household to a mobile information staff, web site and surveys aimed at young people. Over 800 residents attended drop-ins and well in excess of a thousand people took time to fill in surveys and record their views.

Following the consultation, several changes have been made to the East Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework that maps out the regenerations plans for the area from now until 2018. In the Abbey Hey area of Gorton, following discussions with residents, use of land has been changed to retain open space and allotments and to prioritise areas of housing for improvement. Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour was identified as a major concern amongst local people so this has now been made a higher priority. The focus of the framework won't just be on families. A greater emphasis will also be placed on the positive aspects of old age. The area has an aging population and more inter-generation activities will be encouraged as older people provide important role models for young people.

Eddie Smith, Acting Chief executive at New East Manchester said: "This second Strategic Development Framework takes account of some of the big challenges and opportunities that weren't available in 2000 so it was important to get residents input. Overall the draft framework was well received. The level of attendance at events and the number of responses received indicate a high degree of success in achieving the key aim of sharing information with all interested parties, allowing everyone the opportunity to voice their opinions and to influence the future of their area. We have amended the Framework to take account of residents' views and are confident that not only does it truly represent the views of the East Manchester community but that it will provide the basis for continuing the strong progress that has been made."

The final Strategic Regeneration Document will include new targets for New East Manchester for the next decade. These include:

• 9,200 new homes completed or on-site by 2013, 15, 000 by 2018 and 24,000 by 2025;
• A further 7,000 properties improved by 2013;
• By 2018 the population will have increased from the current level of 62,616 to between 90,000 and 100,000;
• An additional 700,000sq m of new business space will be developed by 2018;
• 4,000 residents will be supported into employment by 2013 and 3,500 more by 2018;
• Unemployment rates will be reduced by 20 per cent by 2013 and by 50 per cent by 2018;
• The proportion of pupils securing 5 A*-C GCSEs will exceed the national average by 2013;
• Teenage pregnancies will be reduced by 40 per cent by 2013;
• The equivalent of 670 less crimes per year will occur by 2011;
• 50,000 trees planted by 2018

Damien Bourke, Policy and Partnership Manager at the NWDA, said: "The ongoing regeneration of East Manchester continues to make an important contribution to the growth of the Greater Manchester and regional economy. This change of emphasis reflects not only the visible successes we have seen within the area, but also the renewed ambition and aspirations of the local residents. New East Manchester has settled on a series of targets which will help ensure that East Manchester will benefit from a stronger, more diverse local economy, with more of its people living and working in an environment which will attract more families and workers back to the area."

For more information on New East Manchester visit http://www.neweastmanchester.com/

Media contact:

Roz Hughes, tel 0161 223 1155