Green development plans for former Ancoats Central Retail Park move ahead

Green space plans for the development of the former Central Retail Park are to be given the go-ahead.

A Strategic Regeneration Framework includes plans to support Manhcester’s aim of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038, with the increasing of green spaces available to residents as a vital contributor.

Following a six-week consultation in January, responses were largely focused on the need to have usable green space and biodiversity, creating a welcoming area that should feel like a park – rather than a harder landscaped city centre space.

Comments included a welcoming of the increased amount of new space compared to the previous framework, and respondents also raised the hope that the new green space would be created as a continuation of Cotton Field Park.

Following the consultation, the framework has also been updated to include a new plan for how the development site will connect to wider accessible walking and well-lit cycling routes.

As per Manchester City Council, the key principles for the development will include:

• The creation of a highly sustainable, commercially-led neighbourhood which also includes leisure uses and facilities for local people – diversifying the economy of the area and bringing brownfield land back into use.
• Proposals to act as a catalyst for continued investment and innovation to boost sustainable economic growth.
• Revised SRF has improved biodiversity and increased green space, extensive new public realm. The updated SRF increases the proposed green space compared to 2020 framework
• Improved connectivity aligns with aspirations to provide safe walking and cycling routes, and also encourages active travel
• The framework reacts to the need for quality office space in this part of the city centre, increasing employment opportunities
• Proposals could also create a new business hub providing opportunities for existing and new businesses to grow

Along with the green space, the Government Property Agency is exploring options of constructing offices on the site as part of government plans to locate more civil servants outside of London.

The updated framework proposes a phased approach to the development to minimise construction disruption.  Timescales will largely depend on commercial office space and market requirements.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The development of the former Central Retail Park presents a number of key opportunities to deliver a really impactful programme of regeneration – increasing access to quality public green space, creating a green route to open up and celebrate Cotton Field Park, creating a highly sustainable office space that will support thousands of new jobs in an ecosystem that encourages business growth, and all while bringing an eyesore of a brownfield site back into constructive use.

“The feedback we received through the recent consultation has been a helpful guide in further developing the framework plan for bringing the former retail park back into use – and importantly the investment in a new public green space in our city centre, complementing Mayfield nearby, Electric Park, Cotton Field Park and the upcoming transformation of Ancoats Green.”