60-acre Salford park planned as part of Strangeways regeneration
A “regionally significant” area of green space within the Cambridge area of the city is one of the highlights of a draft regeneration framework for the challenged neighbourhood.
The Strangeways and Cambridge strategic regeneration framework sets out a vision to deliver around 7,000 homes in buildings up to 30 storeys and 3.1m sq ft of new or improved commercial space across 320 acres spanning both Manchester and Salford.
One less expected element of the proposal is Copper Park, located on the Salford side of the border and designed to contend with the area’ environmental challenges.
The park will be located north of the Irwell, east of Great Clowes Street, and south of Broughton Lane in an area dominated by low grade industrial units. it will span just shy of 60 acres and is located in an area of “insurmountable flood risk”, according to the SRF, which is due to go out to consultation later this week.
The park, parts of which will be “constantly wet”, will feature:
- Floodable areas with a naturalised character and enhanced existing woodlands to encourage an increase in habitats and biodiversity.
- An urban park and destination – accommodating sports, play areas, and fitness facilities, promoting physical activity and community activities.
- Social spaces for gatherings, fostering connections and enhancing a sense of belonging within the community, including safe quiet spaces to support mental health.
- Space for markets and events to contribute to the wider vibrancy for the park, offering opportunities for cultural exchange and entertainment for local communities and as attractors of visitors to the area.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett. said: “We’ve been on a journey of growth and regeneration in recent years, and our work has changed the landscape in different parts of Salford for the benefit of our residents. It’s now time to focus on the Cambridge area and working with colleagues in Manchester, this framework provides us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to do that.
“This framework proposes options for the Salford part of the SRF, taking into account the requirements of residents and local businesses, and the need for quality housing in the area. The key will be to balance these needs with what the long-term flood data is telling us and how we future-proof the area against climate change.
“The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area. These include the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, with an option for appropriate levels of mixed-use development, to continue to drive sustainable growth.”
The Strangeways/Cambridge SRF has been drawn up by Avison Young alongside Maccreanor Lavington, Feilden Clegg Bradley, Schulze-Grassov, Civic Engineers, Useful Projects, and Placed.
It represents a cross-border approach to regeneration and a joint strategy to address the area’s long-standing issues.
The park is one of seven character areas. Credit: via SRF
The councils have long recognised the growth potential of the area, which is located on the fringes of Manchester city centre, where demand for both homes and commercial space is high.
Perhaps the biggest issue facing the area is the presence of HMP Manchester.
The prison has long been thought of as a barrier to the area’s growth and Manchester City Council has asked the Ministry of Justice to relocate it elsewhere. As yet, the MoJ has not obliged.
Due to a lack of movement on the relocation plans, the SRF has be drawn up with the prison in situ. However, the SRF acknowledges the scale of the opportunity around the prison should it ever move.
“The future of this area is intrinsically tied to the long-term fate of the prison, whose continued presence precludes significant investment or wholescale development of the area,” the SRF states.
Overall, the SRF sets out plans for seven neighbourhoods, described as follows:
- HMP Manchester & Jury Street: A catalytic neighbourhood at the heart of the SRF. Home of the existing HMP Manchester with potential for long term change subject to the relocation of the prison.
- Derby Street: An intensified business district, supported to ensure the long-term preservation and evolution of the business base in the area.
- Copper Park: A regional destination, multi-functional open space delivered to create positive amenity and biodiversity in response to future flood risk.
- Overbridge: Gateway to Copper Park from the city centre, an area of significant residential potential – up to 2,000 homes – but with important economic assets and heritage.
- Cheetham Park: A new urban-suburban residential neighbourhood of up to 1,000 homes, building on the heritage of the Victorian Cheetham Park and the nascent residential community around it.
- Dutton Street: The Dutton Street area is a natural extension of the city centre. Subject to the existing Great Ducie Street SRF, it is identified as residential-led mixed use area – up to 4,000 homes – where significant development and investment is already evident. This part of the SRF could accommodate 1.75m sq ft of new commercial space
- Lord Street: A transitional neighbourhood, connecting the residential-led change in Dutton Street with the economic focus of Derby Street to the north, and with Red Bank and Victoria North to the east.
Leader of Manchester City Council Bev Craig said: “This framework is our shared long-term vision, alongside our colleagues in Salford, to deliver a transformation in the Strangeways and Cambridge communities.
“We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential.
“We will deliver huge change in Strangways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”
