Public consultation opens on future vision for Chorlton high street

Manchester City Council is considering a new plan for Chorlton’s district centre and is urging residents and businesses to offer their feedback.

The aim of the Public Realm Plan is to ensure the centre of Chorlton remains an attractive, welcoming and accessible space for local people and visitors to enjoy.

The draft Public Realm Plan will help guide investment in the area’s public spaces in the coming years – and is part of a city-wide focus on local district centres to ensure they can benefit from emerging regeneration opportunities.

There are a number of development opportunities in the neighbourhood that will be brought forward in the years ahead – most immediately the new affordable older person’s housing at the former leisure centre site.

An improved public realm will also benefit the local commercial, retail and food and drink offer and has been drafted to be flexible to ensure it remains relevant as new opportunities arise.

The plan looks to:

• Assess Chorlton’s existing public spaces and streets, how they are used now, and how they could be improved in the future.
• Create a distinct district centre plan to illustrate a range of possible projects that could be endorsed by the local community and be used as the basis for future funding bids.
• And the plan proposes concept designs at three key locations: Outside Chorlton Library, at Four Banks, and at High Lane Junction.

The public consultation is now live and will remain open until March 19, 2024. There will also be two in-person consultation events: Thursday, March, 7, 3-7pm at Chorlton Central Church; and Saturday, March 9, 1-4pm at Oswald Road Primary School.

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “We have made a clear commitment to focus on our district centres across Manchester and ensure our local high streets are vibrant, attractive and welcoming spaces for local people and visitors.

“These centres are the beating hearts of our communities, and their strength is in providing a range of vital local services on the doorsteps of our residents.

“The economic prosperity of these spaces is directly linked to the prosperity of the wider local neighbourhood – and the right investment is crucial to support their continued success.”

He added: “Chorlton will welcome a number of key developments in the coming months and years – and this is the community’s opportunity to help guide how their high street and public spaces will look and feel in the years ahead.”