New public square gets go-ahead as part of Moston regeneration

Two significant regeneration schemes have been given the green light in Moston as part of long-term investment plans for the area.

As part of the City Council’s plan to invest in neighbourhoods across the city, Moston Lane has been highlighted as a key priority for Council-led regeneration and is underpinned by the Council’s Neighbourhood Development Framework (NDF) launched in 2023, which looks to enhance the area and ‘support the community to meet the area’s untapped potential.’

These projects include a new public square and further social and affordable housing projects, representing a £25m investment, and a key part of a pipeline that will total £90m worth of investment.

To date, the multi-million-pound programme across Moston has seen new social housing, new pocket parks and green spaces, junction improvements, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues.

On Moston Lane itself, enhancements and improvements to three pocket parks were completed over the summer alongside investment in the Simpson Memorial Hall and Community Hub. These initial projects are intended as catalysts to drive the next stage of the programme that will deliver new homes, create new jobs and support economic growth in the area for local traders and businesses.

A new public square for Moston

One of the central proposals in the NDF was to build a new public square on Moston Lane, creating a focal point for the high street and offer a space for local people to come together.

The space is expected to be flexible to allow markets and community events, with new seating, lighting, trees, and planting.

The Council has acquired a number of properties between Pym Street and Hartley Street and once demolished the land will create an opportunity for the new public square fronting onto Moston Lane itself.

As part of the regeneration programme, the existing Moston Superstore will move from its current location to the car park on Kenyon Lane, and a planning application by the store owner is expected imminently to allow this relocation. Parking provision will be replaced in several locations around Moston Lane, including dedicated supermarket parking spaces.

Alongside the new public square, the 2023 framework indicated that the site could also accommodate around 80 new homes – potentially a mix of apartments and town houses – including social and genuinely affordable homes.

The ground floor spaces are envisaged as new retail and commercial opportunities to enliven the offer on Moston Lane, along with potential health and community facilities.

The Council has now commenced the process of disposing of this site to a developer, who will then prepare a planning application for the new scheme following consultation with the local community.

New affordable homes off Watermans Close

To the south of Moston Lane, a site between Watermans Close and Ebsworth Street is also going to market as part of the same disposal process.

The Moston Lane framework identified an opportunity to build 30-40 new family homes here, helping to meet demand in the area for larger properties whilst also providing new high-quality green space.

To give residents and businesses a voice in the ongoing regeneration of Moston Lane, the Council is creating a new advisory group. Chaired by local councillor Paula Appleby, the group will help the council decide on local priorities and how to direct future investment in the area. The group will also work with the appointed developer and input into the design of the new square and public realm.

An event will be held soon for anyone interested in volunteering to be part of this group. In the meantime, anyone interested should contact the North Neighbourhoods Team on email: Northneighbourhoodteam@manchester.gov.uk

Leader of the Council, Bev Craig, said: “Manchester City Council is ambitious for Moston and committed to working with the local community to see the improvements local people have been asking for.  We have an ambitious plan for Moston and know that Moston Lane has a huge amount of potential.

“The first projects completed over the summer were a statement of intent from the Council that we are serious about investing and improving the area. This comes on top of the recent news of Pride in Place funding going into the wider local area.

“New homes, a new public square, investment into the look and feel of the area, work to attract new businesses and jobs and celebrating community pride are so important. Currently missing is a space that creates a proper focal point on the high street and the new public square will be somewhere local people can come together, put on events and take pride in their district centre. And we also know that this community needs more social rent and genuinely affordable homes – that’s why we are bringing forward two ambitious housing projects to meet demand.

“This is only the start for Moston and our investment in this neighbourhood is part of a citywide commitment to improving high streets across the city, supporting local businesses and economic growth, while creating local spaces our residents want to spend time in.”