Major consultation for Ancoats and New Islington regeneration

Local people are being asked to participate in a major consultation on the future of the regeneration strategy for Ancoats and New Islington.

Both neighbourhoods are ‘key’ regeneration sites for the city and a previous strategy for their development was set out in the 2008-2018 East Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework.

As such both neighbourhoods were subject to regeneration programmes that were unfortunately impacted upon by the global financial crisis and the severe reduction in public sector funding programmes.

As the previous regeneration strategy for the neighbourhoods realised, Ancoats and New Islington has significant development land opportunities to support projected population growth and continuing economic growth in the city – attracting and keeping an economically active population.

Due to renewed development activity and interest in both neighbourhoods in recent times, an updated neighbourhood development framework has been drawn up to reflect the changing context of Ancoats and New Islington.

These two neighbourhoods are also key to support future growth as part of the planned expansion of the city centre north and east of the city centre area in the next 10 to 15 years.

The central location affords the neighbourhoods huge advantages in terms of location, with excellent transport links – that have recently improved further with the expansion east of the Metrolink service – and close proximity to employment opportunities.

A new retail area Great Ancoats Street, including a new supermarket and cinema complex, is also planned to support the growing community in Ancoats and New Islington.

Cllr Jeff Smith, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “Ancoats and New Islington has been a key regeneration objective for the past twenty years.

“We have made great strides and some fantastic successes were achieved, but like many developments, these areas were hit by the recession.

“With signs of positive progress in both neighbourhoods, it is the right time to re-evaluate the strategy for Ancoats and New Islington and we urge local people to have their say on the future of their area.”

The consultation will remain open from 23 June to 22 July and the updated Ancoats and New Islington development framework will be considered by Manchester City Council’s executive later this year.

Open consultation events will take place on the following dates:

3 July 2.30pm - 7pm at St Michael’s Church, George Leigh Street, Ancoats

17 July 2.30pm - 7pm, Vivid Lounge, Great Ancoats Street, New Islington

22 July 8am - 10 am, Unit 2, Royal Mills, Redhill Street, Ancoats.

For more information, please visit: www.manchester.gov.uk/consultations