Victoria North: Vision for 3,000 new ‘affordable’ homes in regeneration plan near Manchester city centre

Manchester city council has set out the next steps as part of a major regeneration plan for the Collyhurst area of the city.

The council, which has been working in partnership with international property developers the Far East Consortium since 2017 as part of the Victoria North plan, says it has identified the potential to create 3,000 new homes in the area, with an emphasis on them being made ‘affordable’. They say they want to work with locals to help shape the design of homes, new streets and parks plus shops, health and transport needs, and are putting on a series of workshops and events to gather views and make sure residents are not sidelined by the huge changes.

City leaders hope the first phases of work will act as a catalyst for more investment in the area as part of the broader Victoria North plans, which they say are the biggest urban regeneration project in the north fof England and will see 15,000 homes and a new tram stop built over a 20-year period.

Coun Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:  “The Collyhurst neighbourhood has been a key target for regeneration for many years and we know from speaking to local people how needed and how welcome this investment will be. 

“We remain absolutely committed to the development in Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst with work already starting on site. We want this initial phase of investment to be the catalyst for future development in the area, which we believe has the potential for around 3,000 new homes – with affordability being a crucial element – in the coming years, along with investment in local green space, new shops and services.

“At the heart of this work is the local community. We want to make sure local people in Collyhurst benefit from the investment in their area. So, it’s with thanks to everyone who has taken part in the consultation exercises and engagement sessions so far. You have helped guide us to where we are today. And, we look forward to working with the community again on future phases of development.”

Victoria Hunter, senior development manager at partners Far East Consortium, said: “The appointment of a masterplanning team is a significant step forward in the future of Collyhurst, with the team selected based on an approach that puts the existing community at the centre of the design process – recognising that communities evolve from existing places and relationships.

“Over the coming months, we will be planning how the community engagement will happen. Critically, we want to listen and to explore ideas with existing residents, guided by key principles including retention of existing residents through a mixture of new homes and tenancies, as well as the growth and re-provision of affordable homes. The local community deserve the best expertise available and the team will bring knowledge, passion and energy to help plan a once in a generation opportunity.”

Eastford Square is outside of the boundary of the two current Collyhurst sites proposed, but it sits within the wider Victoria North regeneration area and the nod was recently given to knock down a parade of old shops to proceed with the regeneration plans. As part of the demolition, the sculpture currently situated in the square will be relocated into the grounds of the nearby Roach and Vauxhall Courts where it will be visible from Rochdale Road, with work on that due to start on 28 March.

• Find out more about the Victoria North regeneration programme on its website here. A council spokesman said dates and locations