Estate ‘time forgot’ could be rebuilt
RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER GREY MARE LANE MASTERPLAN
A HOUSING estate ‘that time forgot’ could be rebuilt under sweeping plans for the area around the Etihad stadium.
The Grey Mare Lane estate in Beswick, one of the last in Manchester left to be regenerated, is earmarked for large-scale redevelopment as housing bosses look to upgrade it – while also adding more private homes into the mix. But residents say they remain in the dark about what that means, or how many of their homes will be demolished.
And one local newsagent, who has been serving the community for nearly 30 years, believes he is about to be forced out.
Eastlands has been the focus of an ambitious council-led regeneration programme since the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Until now, however, the Grey Mare Lane estate, which replaced slum housing in 1968, has been left untouched.
The town hall’s latest masterplan for the area says a ‘transformation programme’ for the community is to be led by housing association One Manchester, which owns most of it.
An initial consultation was held with residents over the summer, but local homeowner Sarah Burgess-Hamlet, who has lived in the area all her life, says it provided no detail.
She said: “We don’t know whether those of us who are private owners are going to be compulsorily purchased, whether they are going to move everyone out at once or whether they are going to do it a bit at a time.”
Nevertheless the 45-year-old mumof-two said the area – which sits just yards from City’s ground – does need to be regenerated, adding: “We’re like the estate time forgot.”
One Manchester told the M.E.N. it would be looking to work up detailed plans in the new year, before consulting further with residents, who they say they want to be ‘influencing’ the development. But Mazhar Hashmi, 62, who has been running his newsagents on Newcombe Close for 28 years, said One Manchester has been trying to make him sign a rolling lease instead of the five-year contracts he had been on.
“I want protection so that I know I’m here, come whatever, for five years,” he said. “This is my only livelihood – what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to fall back on? I think they’re trying to get rid of me”, he said.
Local councillor Rosa Battle said: “What is important now is that local people are involved in the delivery of the framework from start to finish and the promises made to Beswick residents are finally delivered.”
Mike Simpson, group head of growth at One Manchester, said the landlord was ‘committed’ to playing a part in the council’s wider vision for the area.
“We believe that the plans offer existing residents and neighbourhoods greater opportunities but also welcome new and diverse households, homes, businesses and services. Once this work starts we will consult regularly with our residents to keep them informed.”
Asked about Maz’s newsagents, he said ‘conversations’ were ‘continuing.’
Deputy council leader Bernard Priest, who holds the town hall’s housing portfolio and sits on the board at One Manchester, said: “The next stage will be to engage with residents with a view to developing a more detailed masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane area.”