Blueprint for Manchester’s future will be debated this week

City centre will be extended as many more new homes planned

A report has offered a glimpse into the major changes coming to Manchester over the next 15 years.

Bosses at the council are creating a blueprint for the city’s future, including expanding the city centre, building more homes, and cementing Manchester’s place as a top place to visit.

The vision has been shared in a report known as the local plan, covering the changes set to take place in the city between 2022 and 2039.

It is at an ‘advanced and final stage’ and is being put before the council’s cabinet team at a public meeting this week.

‘Manchester will be an even more must-see city, with amazing things to do,’ the report claims.

‘Our neighbourhoods will be clean and green, with good-quality affordable homes and good public services. Mancunians will feel safer indoors, outdoors and online.’

The plan includes improvements to the city centre to make it ‘more attractive’ to spend time in, as well as better transport connections.

Areas of ‘core growth’ – where major changes are planned – will see the city centre boundary get bigger.

It will stretch out to the Great Ducie Street area of Strangeways, Ancoats, New Islington, as well as south of town, towards Manchester Science Park, and the Manchester Metropolitan University campus.

Some of the parts of the city earmarked for huge upgrades in the local plan include Sportcity in east Manchester, Strangeways, and Victoria North – an area which includes Collyhurst and some surrounding neighbourhoods.

The redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital is another major project, which is set to be redeveloped to create a ‘modernised hospital and health facilities’.

Plans around the hospital include building new housing, office spaces, and shops.

The local plan is set to move to a six-week public consultation later this year, with adoption planned for summer 2027.

The report states: ‘Manchester is a dynamic city, it continues to see strong population and economic growth.

‘Through a myriad of initiatives seeking to tackle inequalities and ensuring our residents benefit from our success, we have seen new homes across all tenures and new jobs in both traditional and new sectors.

‘We’ve seen many parts of the city go through physical changes, with new housing allowing more people to live here.

‘As more businesses have invested here, further jobs opportunities have been created for people across all our neighbourhoods. Our residents are better connected with improved transport and can enjoy a varied culture and leisure scene.

‘As we move towards a zero-carbon future, we’re recycling more, and our parks have been protected and developed for all.

‘However, there remains a demand for more housing, including genuinely affordable new homes, and provision for accommodation for supported care and for students attracted to our world class universities.

‘There also remains significant levels of economic inactivity (due to poor health) which we are committed to tackle. The updated Local Plan seeks to provide those spatial policies that can address growth, inclusivity, poverty, health, housing, climate change and transport.’