Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis with its comprehensive plan to build new homes, connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, and drive up standards across the rental sector. By driving an increase in new homes across the region, including affordable, social and net
The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture. Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of
Liverpool City Council has appointed global real estate advisory firm, CBRE, to prepare the recently acquired Great George Street site for the delivery of a mixed-use regeneration scheme. Following a competitive tender process, CBRE has been chosen by the Council to provide professional support in developing a business case to
LOCAL authorities must champion multi-purpose educational hubs as a cornerstone of regeneration efforts, according to a major new survey of senior construction professionals. Undertaken by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, the survey took stock of developer, consultant and contractor concerns as the UK government commits £6.7 billion in capital investment improvements in the sector across the
The search has begun for a development partner to lead the flagship redevelopment of Crompton Place in the heart of Bolton Town Centre. The project will deliver a vibrant, residential-led mixed use development including hotel, office and commercial space, surrounded by the town’s rich heritage assets, vibrant amenities, and excellent
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner
A major regeneration initiative for Waterloo Station and the surrounding South Bank area has taken a significant step forward following the signing of a new partnership agreement between Network Rail, Places for London, and Lambeth Council. The collaboration sets out a long-term vision to redevelop London’s fourth busiest rail hub
Robertson Construction has broken ground on a landmark cultural and leisure development in the heart of Redcar, marking a major milestone in the town’s regeneration journey. Valued at approximately £17.4 million, the new library, entertainment and community complex is the centrepiece of the £25 million Redcar Town Deal — an
A new team of experts tasked with supercharging a multi-billion pound regeneration drive in Liverpool, has been announced. Called Imagine Liverpool, the partnership – to be chaired by Patrick Nolan, former Vice Chairman, HSBC Global Banking & Markets – has been appointed to accelerate development within the city over the
Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that
Greater Manchester is ready to turn the tide on the housing crisis with its comprehensive plan to build new homes, connect communities to new jobs and opportunities, and drive up standards across the rental sector. By driving an increase in new homes across the region, including affordable, social and net zero housing, and by raising the standards of current rental homes, we will fulfil our Housing First ambition to give everyone access to a safe, secure and affordable home by 2038. This week has already seen a renewed focus on driving up housing standards with the unveiling of the first supporters of the Good Landlord Charter – Greater Manchester’s bold twin-track approach to recognising good practice, while holding rogue landlords to account with increased enforcement activity and fines. New analysis shows that our Brownfield Housing Fund, set up in 2020, has provided grants to deliver over 15,000 homes – with an average of just over 45% being affordable housing. This success, linked to our ambitious plans to boost regeneration across Greater Manchester, will support plans to deliver more social housing than is lost across the region. Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “If we are serious about securing the long-term success of Greater Manchester, we need to free ourselves from the grip of the housing crisis. “Because of the decisions we’ve taken, Greater Manchester is now building more affordable homes than at any point since the turn of the millennium. “We need to keep building on that momentum until we reach a tipping point where we build more social homes than we lose. “We’re determined to ensure that every person in Greater Manchester has access to the safe and secure home they need in order to thrive.” Unlocking brownfield land Since 2020, Greater Manchester has invested £135.4m from the Brownfield Housing Fund to redevelop underused brownfield land and deliver thousands of new homes. Brownfield land can be difficult to bring forward for development, owing to issues including soil contamination and the need to remove existing structures. These challenges are often expensive to overcome – and can deter developers from building on brownfield sites. In those five years, we have provided grants delivering more than 15,000 homes – with just over 45 per cent on average being affordable tenure types, compared with an average of 20 per cent for all Greater Manchester developments in that time. A fifth of all homes supported by the Brownfield Housing Fund to date are for social rent. Around a quarter of all homes funded through grants have reached practical completion, ahead of schedule. As part of the Trailblazer devolution deal signed in 2023, Greater Manchester agreed an extension to the Brownfield Housing Fund to accelerate building the good, affordable homes we need. This additional funding has allowed us to continue developing on challenging sites across the region. The Brownfield Housing Fund also puts a greater focus on energy efficiency – helping Greater Manchester deliver the net-zero homes we need to reduce emissions and ease pressure on household energy bills. The Fund has also enabled us to deliver key infrastructure and unlock the full potential of brownfield developments – including at Victoria North, the biggest urban regeneration project in the North of England, set to deliver more than 15,000 new homes, employment space, schools, and GP surgeries. Further funding allocations are anticipated for the summer, supplementing those approved previously and the successful delivery of thousands of new homes to date. Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor and Greater Manchester Lead for Housing First, said: “Through our pioneering Housing First model, we’re ensuring that people with the most complex needs are supported into stable housing with wraparound care. And with the upcoming launch of the UK’s first Good Landlord Charter, we’re raising standards across the rental sector, giving tenants stronger protections and ensuring that everyone in Greater Manchester has access to a safe, secure, and decent home. “The Brownfield Housing Fund has been a vital tool in unlocking land for development, allowing us to build thousands of much-needed homes, while protecting our green spaces. With the right investment, we can deliver high-quality, sustainable, affordable housing across our city-region.” Regenerating our towns and building new homes We are using the power of Mayoral Development Corporations to unlock regeneration opportunities to deliver housing across the city region. These pioneering tools bring together local partners and drive forward our ambitions to build new homes, bring jobs and investment, and support economic growth. They are statutory bodies, set up by the Mayor, designed to speed up development and attract investment within a specific area. They can take on broad powers including land acquisition, planning and infrastructure functions. These include Old Trafford (part of the proposed Western Gateway Mayoral Development Zone), the expanded Stockport MDC and the Northern Gateway MDC (part of Atom Valley). Together, these three alone are expected to deliver 27,250 homes over the next 15 years to help address the housing crisis. We have a proven track record of successfully implementing an MDC in Stockport, where this joined-up approach to regeneration has helped us to deliver well-connected developments, with the right transport links and infrastructure to support thriving communities. Mayoral Development Zones, meanwhile, set out the strategic vision for regeneration over larger parts of the region in which MDCs can sit. Next week (Friday 27 June) will see new proposals discussed by leaders in Greater Manchester for a Mayoral Development Zone to drive forward development in the Western Gateway. The Western Gateway, recognised by the Chancellor for its importance as a key development location, includes Port Salford, Trafford Wharfside, and the Old Trafford Regeneration area, where a Mayoral Development Corporation is proposed. The Mayoral Development Zone will ensure the connections between these major opportunities are understood and the benefits of those links are maximised. Cllr Bev Craig, Portfolio Lead for Economy, Business and Inclusive Growth said: “Greater Manchester is leading the way in delivering new homes, jobs and infrastructure, using our devolved powers to drive growth. “We have pioneered
The City of Edinburgh Council’s retrofit project has taken a major step forward this month with the submission of a planning application by Collective Architecture. Built in the 1960s and now designated as Category A listed buildings, Cables Wynd House and Linksview House collectively provide 310 homes, the majority of which are owned by the Council for social rent. These landmark buildings have served generations of residents, and this project represents a significant investment in securing their future as safe, high-quality homes. The proposed works are being driven by the need to meet the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing – EESSH2. Achieving compliance will require substantial upgrades to both the building fabric and mechanical systems. Alongside this, the Council has identified the opportunity to deliver wider improvements that will bring the buildings in line with modern new-build standards. Key elements of the proposal include: Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Lezley Marion Cameron said: I am delighted that the proposals for the Council’s £69 million investment in Cables Wynd House and Linksview House have now been submitted to the CEC Planning Service, setting out our plans to make our residents’ homes safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient. Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents have long campaigned for this much needed and substantive investment in their homes to happen. Their influence and input into our consultation sessions have shaped these proposals and is hugely valued. I look forward to continuing this positive engagement with Cables Wynd and Linksview House residents and Leith Ward Councillors as the project progresses. Carl Baker, Architect, Certified Passivhaus Designer – Collective Architecture said: Collective Architecture is proud to be working with The City of Edinburgh Council on the retrofit of Cables Wynd House and Linksview House. Our proposals place residents at the heart of the process, aiming to provide greener, warmer homes, while celebrating and sensitively enhancing the unique character of the Category A listed buildings. As part of a just transition, our carefully considered interventions will improve the thermal and environmental performance of the iconic structures – boosting energy efficiency and alleviating the risk of fuel poverty. As with many of our projects, meaningful resident engagement has been central to the design process and will remain a key focus through the final design stage and into construction. Subject to planning approval, the Council will continue to engage closely with residents throughout the design and construction process, ensuring their needs remain at the heart of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council has appointed global real estate advisory firm, CBRE, to prepare the recently acquired Great George Street site for the delivery of a mixed-use regeneration scheme. Following a competitive tender process, CBRE has been chosen by the Council to provide professional support in developing a business case to define the optimum vision and route to market for the key city centre gateway site. CBRE has teamed up with Liverpool-based architect firm, Brock Carmichael, to work on the design element of the business case, and will undertake early market and community engagement to inform the proposals. The Great George Street site is a 4.55 acre brownfield plot which lies within Liverpool’s historic Chinatown and close to the Baltic Triangle district, adjacent to Liverpool Cathedral. Its development has been stalled since 2017, subject to a series of complex legal challenges which the City Council has taken action to resolve. In a major step forward to unlock development, the City Council succeeded in the High Court last November to secure the site under its own unified ownership (as the freeholder of the site), clearing the way for new homes and businesses on this critical site. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) supported the Council’s approach, with an allocation of £10million funding to complete the purchase and bring forward development options for the site. This is the latest positive step in building confidence in Liverpool’s exciting investment pipeline, and joins the unlocking of other major brownfield sites such as the nearby Festival Gardens and Central Docks at Liverpool Waters. The legal ratification also demonstrates the City Council’s commitment to address a legacy of stalled development sites across Liverpool, following its successful exit from statutory government intervention. The Great George Street site is also closely linked to opportunities being realised in the neighbouring Baltic Triangle, where the new Liverpool Baltic Station has secured £96 million of funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, and is due to open in 2027. Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said: “The acquisition of the stalled Great George Street development is a hugely significant step in resetting the story of this major gateway site. “Its proximity to the Baltic Triangle, which is undergoing huge change with plans afoot to radically upgrade the transport infrastructure there, means the future development of the Great George Street site is of critical importance to the city. “I’d like to thank Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) and the government for their support in this process. I am looking forward to delivering new opportunities, homes and businesses, to create a vibrant and positive future for our historic Chinatown district.” CBRE senior director, Andrew Playfer, added: “CBRE is delighted to have been instructed by Liverpool City Council (LCC ) to provide consultancy advice on this high-profile opportunity and to play our part in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for this key area of Liverpool.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LOCAL authorities must champion multi-purpose educational hubs as a cornerstone of regeneration efforts, according to a major new survey of senior construction professionals. Undertaken by multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, the survey took stock of developer, consultant and contractor concerns as the UK government commits £6.7 billion in capital investment improvements in the sector across the current year. A chief concern for respondents is engaging sector designers to create dual-purpose spaces for wider community and interest groups, with 75% citing this should be the most important aim for local authorities and town planners in revitalising our towns and cities. The survey revealed ‘increased local employment opportunities’ (62%) and ‘community engagement and collaboration’ (66%) as key benefits that educational facilities bring forward. This reflects the call to arms to prioritise an interlink between education facilities and inner-city regeneration efforts to drive long-term community outcomes. However, the barriers to delivery are numerous. Funding shortfalls (54%) coupled with a lack of long-term planning and educational maintenance (35%) are the most cited obstructions to educational regeneration, indicating that the sector’s most persistent issues continue to affect decision-making and undermine economic vitality. Matt Hall, national director at Pick Everard, said: “Our survey shows that those working in the construction industry understand the value educational facilities have in the wider revitalisation of our towns and cities. At a time when there is heavy focus on planning and infrastructure improvements and creating new towns, it’s clear that construction professionals believe that placing education hubs at the heart of the community is key to unlocking true transformation and social value. “Unsurprisingly, funding continues to eat away at day-to-day worries. However, it is clear from the responses that while there is room for improvement, policymakers must continue to place conviction in education as a regeneration tool, thereby increasing investment confidence and boosting economic prospects.” A closer look at early-years education highlights a growing demand for more specialist schools, such as those catering to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This trend likely reflects recent reports of an increase in the number of pupils requiring special education support – with UK government data showing that the number of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has risen by more than 80% since 2016, reaching 434,000 in the 2023/24 academic year. When construction professionals were asked whether demand for new educational facilities was outpacing supply or if efforts should shift towards improving existing buildings, opinions were divided. However, a slight majority – 56% of respondents – believed that upgrading current facilities should take priority over constructing new ones, aligning with government initiatives to replace ageing and end-of-life stock. Matt added: “The decision to create new or improve is a constant battle for educational policymakers, as is the case across the wider public sector. An increasing population only brings with it questions over space, and it’s clearly a chief concern for our respondents when analysing the requirements for future schools. “Reimagining spaces – especially in terms of cost, sustainability, and long-term maintenance – remains a key concern within the industry. Nearly 40% of school buildings are nearing the end of their usable life, and recent challenges, such as the ‘RAAC crisis’, have further highlighted the urgency of addressing existing infrastructure issues before shifting focus to building new.” Rounding off the survey, respondents were invited to share open-ended suggestions on how education could contribute more effectively to the regeneration of towns and cities. A recurring theme was the call for a top-down ‘nationalised strategy’ that prioritises year-round community use of educational spaces. In fact, ‘community’ – whether mentioned alone or as part of a phrase – was the most frequently used word among responses, underscoring its central importance. Many also advocated for the integration of healthcare services, such as GP clinics and dental surgeries, within school environments – further reinforcing the push for multi-use, accessible public spaces. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The search has begun for a development partner to lead the flagship redevelopment of Crompton Place in the heart of Bolton Town Centre. The project will deliver a vibrant, residential-led mixed use development including hotel, office and commercial space, surrounded by the town’s rich heritage assets, vibrant amenities, and excellent transport links. The successful bidder will also be expected to improve public spaces and reintroduce a direct pedestrian route between Victoria Square and Bradshawgate. The council has issued a tender notice using the new competitive flexible procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. This will be the second significant step forward following the application to demolish the former shopping centre, which the authority purchased in 2018 as part of its town centre regeneration masterplan. Pending planning approval later this year, demolition is expected to take just 50 weeks and be completed in a single phase. The council is working with leading real estate advisors CBRE to deliver the successful transformation of Crompton Place. Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “Crompton Place represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we look forward to welcoming the right development partner to take the transformation of Bolton to the next level. “We continue to see the successful delivery of regeneration projects in the town centre and across the wider borough, including Neighbourhood Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens and the first phase of Church Wharf. “Having now launched this procurement opportunity on Crompton Place we are sending a clear signal that Bolton means business. “We are confident that investment in the site will attract even more developers to other parts of the town centre.” CBRE Executive Director, Adam White, said: “This is another significant step forward to find a best-in-class development partner to deliver a high-quality, inclusive, residential-led mixed-use scheme. “The council has a proven track record in securing public sector financial support; and Crompton Place is a vital component of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s £10 billion investment plan. “The council will be procuring its development partner with the support of CBRE, Trowers & Hamlins, and KPMG.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Manchester City Council is set to enter into a landmark partnership with the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) to deliver hundreds of genuinely affordable homes as part of plans to build 1,600 more homes in the coming years. GMPF has been selected, through a competitive process, as the investment partner for the next phase of development by This City, the Council’s housing company. The Council’s Executive is being asked to endorse the creation of a new joint venture with GMPF to deliver the second phase of This City development when it meets on 4 June. This City’s first flagship project, No.1 Ancoats Green, is nearing completion – with 129 low carbon homes created next to the brilliant new green space and park at Ancoats Green. 30% of these will be available at the Manchester Living Rent, capped at the rent level which can be covered by housing benefit to make sure they are affordable to as many people as possible. The initial pipeline for phase two consists of 1,583 homes on Council-owned brownfield sites across the city. At least 20% of these new homes will be affordable homes to rent. This City also has a strong emphasis on sustainability through low carbon homes, and on community. Postal Street in the Northen Quarter, Piccadilly is the most advanced of the phase two sites with a planning application expected to be submitted in the coming weeks for 126 new homes – 20% of them affordable and to be let at the Manchester Living Rent. Engagement with local communities in Monsall and Longsight started earlier this year, beginning a conversation with local people about proposals for sites in their areas. While formal consultation will be undertaken later this year with local people in the Grey Mare Lane estate in east Manchester around proposals for new housing as part of the major estate regeneration that will deliver 100s of new affordable homes in this part of Beswick Future This City sites include: Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: “This City is about accelerating home building on Council-owned land so that we can build the homes that Manchester needs on our own terms. These homes will contribute to our housing strategy target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes up to 2032 – and at least 10,000 of these homes will be social, Council or genuinely affordable. “These are ambitious numbers and we are on track to meet them. For example, last year we built more council and social homes than any year for more than a decade, but we want to go even further. We plan to build new council and social housing in every part of the city and being creative, using our land and building the homes ourselves, we will do just that. And having the Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board gives us the financial boost to go further and build much needed low cost, low carbon homes for Manchester residents.” Cllr Gavin White, Executive Member for Housing and Development, said: “Having Greater Manchester Pension Fund on board with This City as an institutional investor will help us deliver at scale the new housing, including significant amounts of affordable housing, which Manchester needs. “We’re seeing a step change and acceleration in the delivery of affordable housing, with more being built now than at any point in the last 12 years and with even more in the pipeline.” Cllr Eleanor Wills, Chair of GMPF, said:“We are acutely aware of the severe housing crisis both nationally and in the North-West region. This is why we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership with Manchester City Council investing in the “This City” vehicle that supports the Government’s plan to provide much-needed affordable homes for hardworking families while ensuring strong, low-risk returns to secure the pensions of our members. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major regeneration initiative for Waterloo Station and the surrounding South Bank area has taken a significant step forward following the signing of a new partnership agreement between Network Rail, Places for London, and Lambeth Council. The collaboration sets out a long-term vision to redevelop London’s fourth busiest rail hub alongside improvements to the neighbouring public realm. The project aims to enhance station facilities, improve public spaces and accessibility, and boost the area’s attractiveness for investment, while supporting Lambeth Council’s ambitions to deliver more homes and business premises. Architectural firm Grimshaw has created the outline design for the transformation, which includes plans to reopen boarded-up railway arches, construct a new southern concourse, and add a large mansard rooftop extension along the station’s front entrance. Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, described the joint vision as a catalyst to “unlock huge growth and investment opportunities” throughout Waterloo and the South Bank. Graeme Craig, Chief Executive at Places for London – the property arm of Transport for London – emphasised that the redevelopment would ensure passengers experience the very best London has to offer at this historic transport hub. The comprehensive regeneration project is expected to span 10 to 15 years, with a focus on minimising public expenditure by leveraging private sector investment and commercial developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Robertson Construction has broken ground on a landmark cultural and leisure development in the heart of Redcar, marking a major milestone in the town’s regeneration journey. Valued at approximately £17.4 million, the new library, entertainment and community complex is the centrepiece of the £25 million Redcar Town Deal — an initiative aimed at breathing new life into the town centre and driving long-term economic growth. The multi-use development will be situated between the Esplanade and the High Street, transforming a key gateway between the beachfront and the town centre. Once complete, it will feature a new library designed to support digital inclusion, community learning, and children’s literacy through an immersive storytelling space and dedicated makerspace. In addition to family-focused entertainment and events facilities, the building will maximise natural light and coastal views, with architectural elements inspired by Redcar’s seaside identity. The project follows the demolition of the former M&S and Goodwins buildings, and extensive coordination with neighbouring property owners during design and preparation works. The development is expected to generate local employment opportunities, attract more visitors, and offer a welcome boost to Redcar’s high street businesses. Robertson is also nearing completion of another significant project in the town — the transformation of the Grade II listed Central Station. That scheme is supported by the government’s Levelling Up Partnership fund, Welcome to Redcar and Cleveland, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and the Railway Heritage Trust. Neil Kennedy, regional managing director at Robertson Construction North East, commented: “We are proud to be leading delivery of this transformative project and to continue our strong partnership with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council. This scheme represents a vital step in regenerating the town, creating local jobs and establishing a vibrant new community asset.” Catherine Clennett, chair of the Redcar Town Deal, added: “We’re thrilled to see the development now under way. This new space will connect the esplanade to the high street, offering both indoor and outdoor venues that enhance the town for residents and visitors alike. It’s an important investment in Redcar’s future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new team of experts tasked with supercharging a multi-billion pound regeneration drive in Liverpool, has been announced. Called Imagine Liverpool, the partnership – to be chaired by Patrick Nolan, former Vice Chairman, HSBC Global Banking & Markets – has been appointed to accelerate development within the city over the coming decade. Imagine Liverpool will consist of 13 board members including former economic adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Stewart Wood, and Liverpool-born, BAFTA-winning producer Jimmy Mulville. The team of national and international experts, whose formation has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, MP, have been given a brief to act as ambassadors and advisors for Liverpool, with the aim of helping to give confidence to investors, landowners, developers and occupiers in the reshaping of the city’s economic landscape. The new team gathered for their first meeting in Liverpool today (Monday, 19 May) before a delegation heads to the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, tomorrow, to promote investment opportunities in the city. A recruitment drive for the board was announced last Autumn with a brief to “provide strategic leadership to drive forward regeneration opportunities, accelerate development, and enhance the quality of life for the city’s residents”, in a new phase in the development of the city. As one of the fastest growing cites in the UK, Liverpool City Council wants to take advantage of brownfield sites to deliver thousands of quality new homes to meet the governments housing targets. It also wants to focus on the specialisms of the city in health and life science, creative and digital, maritime and advanced manufacturing to innovate, accelerate job creation and diversify the economy. One area of focus will be Liverpool’s iconic waterfront and docks. Capitalising on Everton FC’s arrival at Bramley Moore Dock, and the private sector investment from the Fredkin Group, as well as nearby schemes backed by Tom Morris and Global Port Holdings, Imagine Liverpool will oversee the establishment of the emerging Locally Led Urban Development Corporation for the city’s North Docks to support and accelerate development. The board will also input into the New Town bid which aims to create an urban extension in North Liverpool. Developed jointly with Sefton Council, this ambitious long-term vision to revitalise this key part of the city includes plans to develop 10,000 new homes. In addition to having oversight into an existing pipeline of major projects, including Festival Gardens, Kings Dock, Paddington Village South and the Littlewoods TV and Film Studios, the new board will have a strategic overview on regeneration city wide. They will also advise on the city narrative that builds a strong investable proposition to secure private and institutional investment, foreign investment, and future allocations from government. Imagine Liverpool was a key recommendation of the Liverpool Strategic Futures Advisory Panel, chaired by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram with support from Baroness Judith Blake and the late Sir Howard Bernstein. The Imagine Liverpool team will be supported by the Council’s City Development Team. Imagine Liverpool – board members: REACTION Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, MP, said: “Liverpool is a world-famous city with a rich history and a bold vision for the future. It’s fantastic to see this new partnership bring together leading experts to help unlock even more of that potential, with new investment, homes and jobs that will create real, lasting change for local people. “Through our Plan for Change we are building the 1.5 million high-quality homes and vital infrastructure that communities like Liverpool are crying out for. Imagine Liverpool is exactly the kind of ambitious, locally-led transformation we want to see, and we’ll work hand in hand with the city to make it happen.” Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The establishment of Imagine Liverpool is a major milestone in our ongoing regeneration story and a new chapter for the city. Liverpool is on the cusp of delivering some truly transformational schemes, especially in the docks and north of the city, and we need to ensure the opportunities arising from the momentum we’re creating is fully maximised. “We have assembled an immensely diverse, talented and experienced board and I look forward to working with Patrick and all the members to inject a new energy into our plans for the city and fully realise Liverpool’s amazing potential. I know the Council and the Combined Authority are as one in our desire to improve how we work with the private sector and with government to make this one of the most exciting city regions to live and work in.” Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “This is a major step forward for Liverpool—one rooted in the vision and hard graft of the Strategic Futures Advisory Panel that I was proud to chair. “We were clear that the city needed a new kind of regeneration partnership, one that works with local communities and brings in the right expertise to unlock Liverpool’s full potential. The new body does exactly that. With the right team in place, this next decade could see the biggest transformation in a generation delivering new homes, better jobs, and the kind of investment that genuinely improves people’s lives.” Patrick Nolan, Chair of the Imagine Liverpool board, said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be asked to join and Chair Imagine Liverpool. The global brand of Liverpool is truly incredible, and there is so much opportunity here. “I’ve been hugely impressed by the vision, drive and commitment of the Mayor Steve Rotheram and Cllr Liam Robinson, as well as the Liverpool City Council team. Their establishment of a highly experienced advisory board to help them deliver the regeneration plan is a clear sign of intent. I’d like to think we can help Liverpool reach its full potential as a place to live and work. “There has been a huge amount of positive work done in Liverpool over the past 20 years – but there is still so much more to do, particularly north of the city where our
Ancoats Green will reopen to the public this weekend (Saturday 17 May) following a major refurbishment project that has now been completed at the city park. The investment is part of a wider £40m public realm programme creating a new focal point for the neighbourhood alongside further public space that seamlessly links the newly opened Ancoats Mobility Hub and the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green. The public realm projects are also helping to unlock 1,500 new homes -including more than 500 under construction by Manchester Life. The renewed park space includes high quality multi-functional open spaces for the community, new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths and space for small events. New walking and cycling routes connecting the park to the wider city centre will encourage active travel, along with significant new planting and increased biodiversity – including wildflower areas a new trees. The project has looked to celebrate the industrial heritage of the area, including referencing historic flint glass works in the park features. And sustainability is a key element – using reclaimed materials where possible and creating permeable surfaces to manage water alongside a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs). Ancoats green transformation in numbers: Upcycled materials from both the Our Town Hall and Albert Square project and walling stone from the former Prussia Canal arm that once ran through the park have successfully be re-used throughout the park. Reclaimed granite setts have also been incorporated into the spaces, while salvaged building stone has been used for seating areas across the park. A family friendly community event will take place on Saturday 17 May celebrating the reopening of the park space, hosted by This City. Funding for the project was received through Homes England, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority via the Brownfield Land Fund, and the City Council. The Ancoats Regeneration Story The public realm investment is part of the latest phase of the Ancoats Regeneration programme continues the internationally renowned regeneration of the neighbourhood. The Green, alongside the now open Ancoats Mobility Hub, which will be managed by APCOA is helping to underpin the development of 1,500 new homes in this part of the city centre, including the Council’s first This City development at No. 1 Ancoats Green where the first homes are expected to be completed this summer, which includes 30% affordable housing capped at the Manchester Living Rent. This phase of Ancoats investment aims to create a strong sense of place and a low-traffic, pedestrian first neighbourhood for the ongoing residential development that will bring this chapter of investment to a close. The Ancoats Green redevelopment was designed by Planit and the key contractor was Alined Construction Ltd. The Ancoats Mobility Hub and This City’s No. 1 Ancoats Green development was designed by Buttress Architects. The Hub was delivered by Bowmer and Kirkland and No.1 Ancoats Green is being built by Wates Construction Limited. Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “We’re on a mission to invest more in our parks and green spaces. With over 150 parks and green spaces in Manchester, Ancoats Green is the latest park in our city centre to be created or refurbished to make sure our residents have access to brilliant green spaces. The Green will be the heart of this community, a place local people can take pride in, spend time with family and friends, and find a respite from the bustle of the city – all in a low traffic, sustainable neighbourhood. “This is also part of a £40m public realm investment in this part of Ancoats – including the new Mobility Hub – which is helping to unlock the next phase of regeneration in the neighbourhood – and the final chapters of a regeneration story going back two decades. “Building on the Ancoats success story the next phase of investment will see 1,500 new homes built, which includes the Council’s first This City housing development at No. 1 Ancoats Green that will complete in the next few months – helping to increase access to genuinely affordable homes in the city centre. “Ancoats Green is a great example of the council investing more in the priorities that residents tell us they want to see and is a beautiful addition to this area of the city. “ Anna Marohn, Principal Landscape Architect comments from Planit: “It’s been a real privilege to work on delivering the new Ancoats Green. A verdant space in the heart of Manchester city centre for the community, celebrating the area’s rich heritage and with sustainability at its core. “The dramatic enhancements will see an increase in Biodiversity. The use of wildflower meadows, structural herbeacous planting, addition of 41 new trees, bug hotels and bird boxes integrated creatively throughout the space, will encourage nature back into the city. Climate resilient and reclaimed materials have been used extensively throughout the park, including SUDS with rain gardens located within the green, and porous asphalt for the footpaths. “Many of the parks’ surface materials are reclaimed – using granite setts from the renovation works at nearby Albert Square and old coping stones – to create bespoke seating elements. “The dramatic enhancements will offer the existing and future community a place to dwell, play, exercise and socialise for future generations to come.” Commenting on their role in the design work for the Ancoats Mobility Hub, This City’s No.1 Ancoats Green development and Eliza Yard for ManchesterLife, Matthew Burl, Buttress director said: “The opening of the Ancoats Mobility Hub is about so much more than mobility. It’s about giving streets back to people, creating space for community life to flourish, and embedding sustainability into the everyday experience of the city. It’s been a privilege to help shape this important project for our own local neighbourhood of Ancoats. Our new housing development for This City, No1. Ancoats Green, is due to be finished this summer and Eliza Yard for Manchester Life will complete in the spring next year. Both will add thoughtfully
