Manchester City Council has published a local plan outlining major changes expected in the city between 2022 and 2039. The blueprint, described as being at an 'advanced and final stage', will be presented to the council's cabinet team at a public meeting next week.
City Centre Expansion and Housing
The plan proposes expanding the city centre boundary to include the Great Ducie Street area of Strangeways, Ancoats, New Islington, and areas south towards Manchester Science Park and Manchester Metropolitan University campus. Key areas earmarked for redevelopment include Sportcity in east Manchester, Strangeways, and Victoria North, which encompasses Collyhurst and surrounding neighbourhoods.
The council aims to deliver more affordable homes to meet demand. The report states: 'There remains a demand for more housing, including genuinely affordable new homes, and provision for accommodation for supported care and for students.'
Transport and Public Services
Transport connections are to be improved to make the city centre 'more attractive' to spend time in. The plan also includes the redevelopment of North Manchester General Hospital into a 'modernised hospital and health facilities', along with new housing, office spaces, and shops.
The report claims: 'Manchester will be an even more must-see city, with amazing things to do. Our neighbourhoods will be clean and green, with good-quality affordable homes and good public services. Mancunians will feel safer indoors, outdoors and online.'
Next Steps and Timeline
The local plan will move to a six-week public consultation later this year, with adoption planned for summer 2027. The report emphasises Manchester's dynamic growth, stating: '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.'
It also acknowledges challenges: '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.'
