Manchester is set to receive £1.5m to support a regeneration programme at Manchester Victoria North, delivering a new district of 15,000 homes with transport links and green spaces which could see the development of a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills serving Collyhurst
The announcement released overnight comes as it reveals plans for the next generation of New Towns across the country with building work to have started on about 10 to 12 by the next election
Over 100 proposals from across every region in England were submitted, showing local areas and housebuilders’ ambition to get on board to build the next generation of new towns – playing their part in getting Britain building and tackling the worst housing crisis in living memory.
Every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more says the Government
Victoria North is one of the UK’s largest and most ambitious regeneration projects. It’s the biggest in Manchester’s history. Over the next two decades, it will deliver 15,000 homes north-east of Manchester city centre. It will grow the population by 40,000 people.
The council is working in a joint venture with Far East Consortium (FEC) on the project
The redevelopment project will create better-connected public spaces, new and improved transport links, and more homes, parks and retail spaces for the city’s growing population.
Leader of the Council Cllr Bev Craig said:
“We welcome the news that the new Government wants to work with us to help us build more homes and create more jobs for Manchester residents.
“Victoria North represents one of the most ambitious urban regeneration programmes in Europe and will see more than 15,000 homes built in the next decade, along with a range of employment, social, community, cultural and neighbourhood uses. Its delivery will transform 390 acres of brownfield and underutilised land in some of the most deprived wards of Manchester, creating a new town in Manchester, interconnected by quality green spaces which will open up and celebrate the River IRK.
“Already, hundreds of homes have been built as part of the regeneration programme, including 130 new council homes in Collyhurst that will be available to residents very soon, alongside a new community park.
“This £1.5m Government funding will help to unlock a key element of the vision for Collyhurst by supporting the development of a business case for a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills, that will better connect the Collyhurst neighbourhood to the wider city and region, linking our residents to employment and other services and opportunities.
“Investment in a new Metrolink stop in this community would be an important driver to deliver the ambitious next phase of the Collyhurst regeneration story, which looks build more than 2,500 new homes – including significant council and social housing – new shops, and further education and medical facilities.
“We look forward to working closely with this Government in the coming months to realise the potential of Collyhurst, Victoria North and the wider area of North Manchester. Together with the news around the North Manchester General Hospital green light, this shows that Manchester is a priority for the new Government.”
Tom Fenton, Strategic Partnerships Director at FEC, said: “Today’s announcement is a really positive step for Victoria North as the notion of a new Metrolink stop at Sandhills is something that FEC and Manchester City Council have been promoting from the outset of the regeneration project.
“Being able to properly connect Victoria North and its existing residents into the wider employment opportunities across Greater Manchester has always been a key focus of the partnership and, whilst there is still a lot to be done before a physical stop can be realised, this is a major step forward around which we can continue to shape our future plans for a new neighbourhood centre and further social infrastructure to benefit the local community.
“We look forward to continuing the collaborative working relationship that we’ve developed with colleagues at TfGM, and we would also like to thank Homes England for their specific support to date and the GMCA and Mayor for his commitment to seeing the tram stop delivered.”
