28 homes have to go as part of £1billion gateway
THE latest plans for the £1billion Northern Gateway project will involve building 270 new homes and a park - but require the demolition of 28 existing homes, Manchester Council says.
The landmark regeneration scheme aims to achieve a complete overhaul of Collyhurst and the wider Irk Valley area in north Manchester.
Over two decades, it is hoped around 15,000 new homes will be built as part of a joint venture between Manchester City Council and FEC (Far East Consortium).
New schools, healthcare facilities and transport links are promised for the 155-hectare area.
The M.E.N. reported last month on the seven new neighbourhoods that the council is aiming to put on the map.
Redevelopment plans for Collyhurst have been promised and never delivered many times over the years, and some residents remain sceptical of the latest plans and fearful that it will see their communities wiped from the map.
Anne Worthington, a grandmother who lives on the estate and has spoken out against the plans, told the M.E.N: “It’s awful to think I might not be living here in the future.
“If I think about it too much, I might cry. I don’t want to be 70 and worrying about moving home or buying a new one.”
Now Manchester Council and developer partner FEC have confirmed a cluster of 28 homes will require demolition.
The council said all residents who are affected have already been contacted and ‘will be supported to move into the new homes’.
No existing homes will be demolished in Collyhurst until replacements have been built.
A further round of consultation will now take place before final plans for the first phase of new housing development in the neighbourhood are drawn up.
The consultation will close on Friday, October 16.
Coun Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “Throughout the early stages of the Northern Gateway project, input from local people has been invaluable.
“The views of Collyhurst residents have been listened to and taken on board.
“Following this phase of the consultation, we will bring back final proposals to the community one last time before planning applications are submitted for Collyhurst.”