Councils move forward with Strangeways regeneration plans

Manchester and Salford City Councils are expected to approve the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the long-term transformation of the Strangeways and Cambridge areas at their respective committees next week.

Consultation was launched earlier this year to gather feedback on the draft framework, which provides a vision for the 130-hectare city centre fringe area. The framework signals a major collaboration between Manchester and Salford Councils that seeks to unlock the potential of the cross-boundary regeneration, intending to support businesses in the area to grow and thrive, attract new enterprises, and develop significant new housing and commercial space, alongside a major new 60-hectare urban park.

The SRF estimates the wider area could accommodate 7,000 new homes across seven neighbourhoods that incorporate sustainability, active travel and new green spaces. Around 1.75m sqft of commercial space could be created or improved, potentially providing 4,500 new jobs.

The first developments within the Strangeways area are already on site, including the Brewery Gardens project by Clarion on Trinity Way, providing 505 new homes, of which 132 will be for social rent and 171 for shared ownership. Salboy’s Waterhouse Gardens development, which will deliver 556 new homes and 30,000sqft of commercial space, has recently seen the first new residents moving in.

The vision for Strangeways and Cambridge

The SRF vision is supported by six objectives:

• The local economy: providing modern and improved employment floorspace that will help new and existing businesses to grow and become more resilient.
• Creating a vibrant area: to create and improve connections between Strangeways, the city centre and the neighbouring communities in Salford and Manchester, such as Cheetham and the emerging neighbourhood at Red Bank.
• High quality development:  Making sure that development is mixed, including new homes, commercial space, public realm and community spaces.
• Nature and water management: addressing long-term flood risk by creating a large new park and sustainable drainage systems.
• Getting around sustainably: Creating safe, resilient and inclusive streets in line with the Council’s Active Travel Strategy and long-term approach to radial routes such as Bury New Road and Cheetham Hill Road.
• Celebrating heritage and culture: Ensuring that as the area changes overtime, the heritage, local character and vibrancy of the area remain.

In the SRF, the Council restates the case to the government for the relocation of HMP Manchester, noting the regeneration opportunity presented by the site and the barrier to development that the prison currently presents.

Once the draft Strangeways and Cambridge SRF document is endorsed by both Councils, the framework will become a material consideration for planning applications in this area, and as an immediate next step, both councils will undertake further design of the Overbridge and Copper Park neighbourhoods set out in the SRF.

Leader of the Council, Bev Craig, said:  “The formal adoption of this framework is a milestone that we will remember for Strangeways as we move from vision to delivery and the beginning of a long-term regeneration programme for this part of our city.

“We know this is an area that has faced challenges, and we have worked closely with partners – including GMP through Operation Vulcan – to create lasting change and opportunity for these neighbourhoods.

“This is about supporting businesses, creating jobs through growth, and building the homes our residents need in neighbourhoods that they are proud of. Already we are seeing extensive development activity in this area, including significant new social rent and shared ownership housing on site now. But this is only the beginning of an incredibly exciting decade and more for Strangeways.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “In 2023 we entered into a joint commission with Manchester City Council to develop this Strategic Regeneration Framework for both the Strangeway and Cambridge areas.

“The development of the framework marks a significant step forward in our shared journey to transform the area into thriving, connected neighbourhoods. Informed by detailed flood modelling, the framework sets out a proactive strategy that embraces nature-based solutions and resilient design to ensure the Cambridge area can adapt to the impacts of climate change over the coming decades.

“The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area, including the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, alongside appropriate levels of mixed-use development to continue to drive sustainable growth.

“With strong community roots and a rich cultural heritage, this area is brimming with potential and together we can deliver transformational change creating new homes, jobs, and green spaces that reflect the aspirations of our residents and support a greener, fairer future.

“Earlier this year we held a nine-week public consultation so people could give their views on the SRF proposals. And it does not end there as we will continue to take on views from local people and businesses to shape our work in this area over the coming months and years.”

Read the Manchester City Council executive report in full.