The Manchester City Centre boundary could be changing under new plans drafted by the local council, which could see the city centre expand into six new areas. The news comes as Manchester City Council released their draft Local Plan that will help guide development and growth in Manchester over the next fifteen years. The Local Plan will be considered by the Council’s executive committee next week on Wednesday 10th September, ahead of public consultation later this month.
What is the Manchester Local Plan?
Every Council is legally required to agree to a Local Plan that sets out a long-term framework for how land in an area should be developed. The Plan, which will be the first update of the development blueprint since 2012, will act as a guide through the planning process for new housing, employment and shops, green spaces and city infrastructure, and how development can support the city to become net zero carbon by 2038.
What are the key elements of the draft Local Plan?
There are nine key elements within the draft Local Plan for Manchester, which include:
- building more homes
- social and affordable housing
- jobs and growth
- green space and waterways
- leisure and nighttime economy
- city-wide high streets and district centres
- journey to zero carbon
- design and heritage
- transport
What changes will be made to the Manchester city centre boundary in the Local Plan?
According to the 205-page draft Local Plan, the council proposes expanding the Manchester City Centre boundary “to ensure its footprint can capitalise on its potential” and remain “the UK’s most significant economic driver outside of London”. The City Centre Strategic Plan 2015 acknowledged that the natural evolution of the City Centre expansion into the fringe areas had been taking place for some time, with the areas of Ancoats and New Islington becoming its new suburbs, with other areas identified for further high-density development.
Under new plans, the Manchester City Centre boundary could expand to include six new areas, which are:
- The Great Ducie Street area of Strangeways
- Victoria North (part)
- Ancoats
- New Islington
- Manchester Science Park
- Manchester Metropolitan University Campus
Victoria North will be comprised of seven neighbourhoods: Collyhurst Village, South Collyhurst, New Cross, New Town, Red Bank, Vauxhall Gardens, Eggington Street and Smedley Dip. However, a small island of non-city centre will exist in the Manchester area of Hulme, which is the Aquarius Estate.
When will a decision be made on the Manchester City Centre boundary and Local Plan?
According to Manchester City Council, consultation on the Manchester Local Plan will begin in the coming weeks, and more information will be made available soon, including in-person engagement opportunities. Following the initial public engagement, the Council will then review the draft plan against the feedback received through the consultation with a view to further consultation on the final draft plan next summer.
The final draft plan will then be submitted to the Government to be examined by an Inspector, with the expectation that this will be returned to the Council for adoption by the summer of 2027.