Water Street vision aims to revitalise ‘fragmented and disconnected’ area
A new riverside walkway, along the Medlock, is part of the plan(Image: Manchester council)
Manchester could see a ‘landmark’ new park and four skyscrapers open in the ‘one of the city centre’s final forgotten corners’.
The council has unveiled its vision for Water Street, sandwiched between Castlefield and Trinity Way. It’s one of the last parts of town still dominated by light industry, featuring warehouses and derelict compounds.
It’s also next to Aviva Studios and new St John’s neighbourhood, meaning there’s plenty of things for potential residents to do, prompting a move to redevelop the land.
The plan is not dissimilar to the regeneration of Mayfield, with four tower blocks containing apartments surrounding a new park roughly equal to the city’s newest green space, at 6.5 acres.
“Right now, the area feels fragmented and disconnected,” said council leader Bev Craig. “But we have a real opportunity to create a thriving new neighbourhood connecting into the historic Castlefield and linking into the vibrant new St Johns area, with another big new city centre park and other green spaces – an inclusive place with affordable homes.”
‘Thousands’ of apartments should be built in the scheme, with the authority committing to adding ‘more genuinely affordable’ homes with the redevelopment.
The vision for the new towers and park near Water Street, in Castlefield(Image: Manchester council)
Coun Craig added: “Another brand new public park and more genuinely affordable homes are part of our ambition to make the city centre more attractive and more affordable. We’ve seen the impact Mayfield has already had in the city centre, and in the last year work has started on the first social housing in the city centre for 40 years – with some schemes delivering a majority of affordable homes.”
The plan will also redevelop existing railway arches for retail and hospitality units and create new walking routes across the area. It will likely be years before construction begins, as the council has only released a blueprint for development at this stage for a public consultation ahead of developers proposing final designs for planning permission.
The project, launched on Thursday, has the backing of local Deansgate councillors. Joan Davies said: “I am ecstatic about the prospect of yet another new city centre park – this time in Castlefield.
“Talking to city centre residents, we have heard loud and clear that residents want more green space, and as city centre Labour Councillors, we listen, act and deliver.”
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