Plans to transform town centre in Manchester are underway

A new project to develop Gorton Town Centre, located in Manchester, has been given the green light by locals. 

After a public consultation was launched over the Christmas period, over 260 people positively reacted to the new project, enabling planners to advance to the next stage. 

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: ‘The recent consultation has given us some real impetus to push forward with further investment in the Gorton District Centre – and it’s been brilliant to receive the positive feedback from local people that the high-level proposals are welcomed.

Developments for the town centre include making the area more sustainable and accessible whilst prioritising residents quality of life.

The blueprint, which was proposed to the public, displays shops in the area will be upgraded, new public spaces will be created and the opportunity to deliver 400 new affordable homes is also on the cards.

Housing developments will occur on Brownfield land and to ensure local housing demands are met, a mixed tenure approach has been adopted – residential development which combines a range of tenure options from owner-occupier housing, rental housing and house shares.

As well as creating new homes, council-owned land in the area provides an opportunity for investors to create both residential and commercial developments, which will help attract new business and residents to Gorton.

Making sure the area is eco-friendly plans to create more walking and cycle paths have also been included in the master plan.

In addition to creating new and exciting projects which will fill Gorton centre, plans are also set to preserve establishments that are loved by locals – strong engagement around the gymnastics centre was portrayed by locals, which highlighted the importance of supporting the institution to continue.

Cllr White said: ‘There are some key areas from the responses that we will now ensure are key principles for development, including new affordable housing, a new public square, and more shops – but also to assure a future for the Gymnastics centre, which has had a home in the local area for some time.

‘Gaining insight and support of local people is always invaluable for the success of any development – but when it comes to a local district that is widely used and popular with local people, it becomes even more vital.’

Following the publics positive reaction to the project, plans are now set to be agreed at a meeting of the council’s executive. 

Photo by Joe Cleary