New urban park planned in Strangeways regeneration proposal

Manchester Council and Salford Council have unveiled draft proposals for the long-term regeneration of the Strangeways and Cambridge areas ahead of public consultation.

Plans include a high-level vision for the area that seeks to provide a ‘platform for legitimate businesses to grow and thrive’ alongside a major new urban park, new housing — including affordable homes — and significant commercial and employment opportunities.

The draft Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) reports will be heard by both Councils’ respective executive and cabinet committees, who will outline the vision that will guide wide-scale investment and development across the 130-hectare city fringe location over the coming decades.

Estimates for the combined development areas could see up to 7,000 new homes across seven distinct ‘neighbourhood’ areas, increased commercial floorspace of around 1.75m sqft, and the regeneration could support an additional 4,500 jobs.

The SRF also reflects how HM Prison Manchester – formerly Strangeways Prison – remains a ‘significant barrier’ to the regeneration ambitions in this part of the city, and the framework will act as an engagement tool with the Ministry of Justice around the long-term future of the prison.

The key themes of the SRF include:

• Business and Employment: Increase business and employment opportunities, supporting ongoing economic growth in both Manchester and Salford
• Green and Blue Infrastructure: Create a network of green spaces and celebrate the River Irwell, including the creation of a large new city centre park (working title: Copper Park) and respond to flood risk
• Movement: Prioritise a ‘people first’ approach to the regeneration, including active travel while carefully managing parking, servicing and delivery requirements.
• Heritage and Culture: Celebrate the existing architecture and heritage buildings in the area as part of the comprehensive regeneration plans.

Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “This framework is our shared long-term vision, alongside our colleagues in Salford, to deliver a transformation in the Strangeways and Cambridge communities.

“We have an opportunity to create a platform for development and investment, enabled by the successful work carried out by the Operation Vulcan partnership, to support businesses to grow and prosper in these neighbourhoods – creating thousands of new jobs and support the ongoing growth of our city – alongside a major new public park and new homes, including Council, social and genuinely affordable housing.

“We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential.

“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”

Salford’s Cabinet will meet on Tue 11 Mar. Manchester’s executive will meet on Fri 14 Mar. Find the Manchester City Council Executive Report here.

Following the respective Council approvals, consultation around the SRF document will begin at the end of March, the results of which will be reported to future Executive and Cabinet meetings.