Manchester City Council has launched a public consultation on the public realm strategy for the next priority area in the ongoing regeneration story of Ancoats – a 20 year programme of redevelopment.
The consultation is for local people and businesses to learn about and feedback on proposals to improve public space in the Poland Street area (bound by Oldham Road, Bengal Street, the Rochdale Canal, and Butler Street).
The area is currently characterised by poor access and street layouts, and inadequate walking and cycling routes.
The City Council’s priorities for the strategy include guiding how around 1500 further homes can be provided in a way that enhances the neighbourhood character, delivers on quality of life, sustainability, and active travel priorities, and integrates the Poland Street neighbourhood into the wider area.
Once approved, the strategy will inform the design of future developments in this area, and ensure reduced vehicle movements, access to sustainable transport choices and the creation of high-quality green spaces and streets - which are all vital components of Manchester’s ambition to become zero carbon by 2038.
The Poland Street Zone Public Realm Strategy builds on the successes of coordinated development by the City Council, Manchester Life Development Company, and partners around Cutting Room Square and New Islington Marina.
Since 2014, this work has seen the transformation of Ancoats and New Islington Marina into an award-winning inclusive residential neighbourhood, providing housing for Manchester’s working population and families.
The Ancoats Mobility Hub plans developed by a partnership between Manchester City Council and Manchester Life, underpins the public realm strategy by enabling neighbourhood space, roads and individual building designs to prioritise community interaction, public spaces, and sustainable and active travel - rather than allocating space for parking and vehicle movement.
Once the Public Realm Consultation concludes, the City Council, Manchester Life and other development partners will be able to refine and bring forward housing planning applications that respond to the strategy.
Principles of the draft Public Realm Strategy for the next phase of Ancoats development:
- New green heart of the community with an improved Ancoats Green space – along with a new pedestrian and cycle green way connecting Rochdale Canal to Portugal Street
- Improving public realm that will underpin development in the coming years with ambitious place making (more than 1,500 homes will be brought forward)
- Ancoats Mobility Hub will support the reduction of car use and street parking, limit traffic flow and promote a pedestrian friendly neighbourhood – including a final mile logistics hub for deliveries all set within a plaza linking it across to Ancoats Green
- Promote a shift towards cycling and walking through quality active travel routes through the community and a pedestrian friendly environment introducing new opportunities for play and recreation as well as improvements to biodiversity.
- And the active use of leading technologies to create an attractive sustainable neighbourhood
This consultation opened on Monday 31 January and will close 27 February.
There will be two drop-in events at Halle St Peter's (40 Blossom St, Ancoats) Monday 14 Feb 12pm to 2.30pm and 5pm to 7pm
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“So far the redevelopment of Ancoats & New Islington has been a regeneration success story, becoming a world-renowned neighbourhood.
“We are taking a very considered approach to the next phase of development, which will be underpinned by high quality green space and ambitious place making to create a really attractive place to live and play. And this strategy allows us to take a very joined up approach to new homes and public space in a way that helps create inclusive and sustainable communities.
“This will be different to the harder street scenes in other parts of the area with Ancoats Green as the heart of the community, fewer cars and more opportunities for active walking and cycling – developing a neighbourhood that will support our journey to zero carbon.”