Plans for first city centre park in 100 years
PICCADILLY SCHEME INCLUDES FIRST NEW PARK IN 100 YEARS
PLANS have been submitted to turn a ‘forgotten corner’ of Manchester city centre into a huge new park.
The area behind Piccadilly Station has been largely derelict for decades, but has recently been earmarked for one of the most ambitious regeneration projects in the country.
The old Mayfield railway station has been brought back to life as an arts venue, with the former Depot hosting a number of music events including Manchester Pride this year.
This weekend, a partnership with Broadwick Live began with a gig by Aphex Twin on Friday and a club night on Saturday curated by the Warehouse Project.
Around 5,000 people visited for the start of a programme that will run for the next five years.
Now a planning application has been submitted for the first step in a £1.4bn transformation of the neighbourhood, including the creation of a 6.5 acre park - the first in the city centre for 100 years.
New images show how the green space will be built on the banks of the River Medlock.
The application also includes plans for a nine-storey, 70,000 sq ft office building overlooking the park and a 545-space multi-storey car park on Baring Street.
It has been submitted by the Mayfield Partnership, which comprises regeneration developer U+I, LCR, Manchester council and Transport for Greater Manchester, as part of a vision of building a mixed-use community over the next 10 to 15 years.
A separate application for a larger flagship 12-storey office building is expected to be made this autumn.
There are also hopes for further offices, homes, leisure facilities and public spaces. Richard Upton, chief development officer at U+I, said: “The last three years of consultation, planning and opening up Mayfield to a variety of community uses and major events has re-introduced Mancunians to a forgotten corner of the city with huge social and economic potential. “Submitting our first formal planning application is an important moment in realising that potential and we are excited that our vision for a world class neighbourhood for businesses, residents and visitors is taking shape.”
“We have been delighted by the overwhelming positive response to our recent public consultation on Mayfield Park and look forward to starting work on this amazing new amenity for the people of Manchester.”
Mayfield bosses say they want to put the site ‘at the heart of Manchester’s cultural life.’
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester council, added: “The addition of a significant new city centre park, just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Station, is a welcome development and shows how such green spaces can be created through the masterplanning of wider areas.”
Subject to consent, work will commence early in 2020.