Work has begun to create a much-improved city centre park space as part of the closing chapter of the regeneration of Ancoats that began more than 20 years ago.
Ancoats Green will act as a new focal point for the area as part of a wider public realm investment in Ancoats that will celebrate the industrial and manufacturing heritage of this part of the city centre.
The project will include new walking and cycling routes to encourage active travel through the neighbourhood, significant new planting – including new wildflower areas and wetland planting – and a range of new tress that will add colour throughout the year.
Community is a central tenet of the investment creating high quality multi-functional green space for existing and future generations, including new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths and space for hosting small events.
As a nod to the history of the site, once central to the flint glass works district of Ancoats, the entrances to the space will include design features that reference its industrial past.
The Green will also create a seamless route from the Council’s This City affordable housing scheme on Rodney Street (One Ancoats Green) from north Manchester through to the new Mobility Hub and city centre beyond.
Granite paving stones removed from Albert Square (as part of the ongoing Our Town Hall project) will be lovingly reused at Ancoats Green, celebrating the city’s story and reducing the carbon footprint of the development.
Supporting wildlife has also been a key consideration and so increasing biodiversity to encourage new species to the Green through planting of native and fruit trees – including an avenue of cherry trees – as well as the wildflower and wetland areas.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Bev Craig, said:
“Ancoats and New Islington – and Miles Platting to the north – are proving incredibly popular places to live and it’s not surprising as a city centre location close to jobs, services and entertainment, alongside excellent transport links.
“We also know that more and more people are choosing to have families in the city centre and we have an opportunity through this investment to create a new green heart for Ancoats with open grassed spaces and new play park that will allow the community grow and knit around it.
“This is part of a long-standing and long-term commitment that we have to make Manchester a greener, more attractive and cleaner place to live. We are committed to creating more high-quality green spaces for residents and visitors and this project is echoed by green investment across our city – including throughout or Victoria North programme, as well as the former Central Retail Park and our new Mayfield Park.
“Ancoats Green will be the focal point that this neighbourhood needs, becoming the lynchpin of the ongoing development in the area – and the final chapter on the regeneration of Ancoats over the last two decades.”
