Developer reaches out to community on Collyhurst regeneration plans

A fresh round of public consultation has been launched today (March 13) by Far East Consortium (FEC) on its long term vision to transform Collyhurst and deliver enhancements to amenities, public realm and infrastructure.

Residents are invited to share their thoughts and feedback on the regeneration in the neighbourhood, being delivered as part of the Victoria North programme.
The £4bn joint venture between Manchester City Council and FEC will create 15,000 new homes over the next two decades.

The new consultation follows an initial engagement period with the community by the scheme’s masterplanning team over the past 12 months.

Following initial feedback, lead architect Mæ – along with Turner.Works (meanwhile use), Schulze+Grassov (landscape and public realm) and IF_DO (community engagement) – has designed a vision which will be used to guide a more detailed masterplan over the coming months.

Feedback received from the residents so far is that future plans must retain the essence of Collyhurst, introduce new green spaces, provide more amenities for young people and create social housing for the community.

In response, the masterplanning team has designed a ‘social seam’ that will run through the heart of Collyhurst and form part of Victoria North’s new 46-acre City River Park.

The seam will be a new active travel route designed to better connect the neighbourhood, with more walking and cycling routes. It will also introduce a new Village Park, urban play areas, space for markets and pop-ups, and biodiverse nature trails.

The vision being consulted on will help create the social infrastructure and quality in public realm and amenities required to support the growing community. Initial modelling undertaken as part of the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Victoria North indicates that up to 3,000 new homes – with a key focus on affordability – could be built in Collyhurst in the long term.

Any proposals will be subject to full public consultation to ensure that existing residents can help guide and benefit from the investment.

Site works at Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst have already started, delivering 274 new low carbon homes – including 130 homes for social rent – and the first phase of New Collyhurst Park.

Victoria Hunter, project director at FEC, said: “The feedback we’ve received from residents in-and-around Collyhurst has been invaluable.

“They’ve shared insight on the aspects of the community that they cherish and also where they see the potential to enhance what’s on offer, and create a greener, more connected neighbourhood. This vision we’re presenting today reflects that desire.”

She added: “We know how important it is to enrich Collyhurst’s own sense of place. The ‘social seam’ supports a better-connected community by providing enhanced amenities throughout the neighbourhood, introducing new elements for play and recreation, more social spaces and greener parks.

“This is the cornerstone for the entire Victoria North programme, promoting regeneration that will catalyse communities and create much needed housing and public amenities.

“We can’t wait to hear what residents think of the vision and how we can create a masterplan that captures the fabric of Collyhurst.”

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “It’s right that we began the ambitious Victoria North programme here in Collyhurst to make sure that the communities that would benefit most from the investment did so as quickly as possible. The first new homes in Collyhurst will be completed later this year, but this is only the beginning for this neighbourhood.

“We know that this community wants more affordable housing, new green spaces and parks, health facilities, and things to do for young and local people.

“The team has made sure these principles are at the heart of the proposals for the area – and this is the chance for local people to give more feedback before a long term masterplan is developed for the Collyhurst community.”

Residents are encouraged to share feedback on the plans online at collyhurst-regeneration.co.uk