Masterplan
A plan of action to guide our regeneration activities
In Spring 2023, we announced our intention to work with the Collyhurst community to develop a plan to guide our future regeneration projects, known as a masterplan.
This plan will guide what happens next with things like where new homes will be built, where green spaces and new community facilities should go.
The area to be covered in this new masterplan will be from Livesey Street up to Queens Road, and between Rochdale Road and the railway line / New Allen Street.
In developing this new masterplan for Collyhurst, we want to make sure that existing residents are at the heart of the design process. We are going to build on the approach we took to the first phase of development, where Collyhurst residents got involved to shape the design of the new homes, streets and park.
How does the new masterplan for Collyhurst relate to the Strategic Regeneration Framework?
You may already be aware of the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the Victoria North area, which was developed and consulted on in 2018. The SRF provided some early ideas of what regeneration in Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst could look like, but it didn’t include much detail or explain how and when future phases of regeneration will be delivered.
The new Collyhurst masterplan will build on the SRF vision to guide our future phases of regeneration activity. It will be developed in partnership with the existing Collyhurst community and will be based on lots of research into the history, current experiences and future needs of Collyhurst residents.
Much more than just a plan for new homes, the Collyhurst masterplan will set out a comprehensive plan for new social and community facilities, youth spaces and green spaces.
Sarah Castle, Masterplan team lead for engagement said:
“Community engagement stands as the cornerstone of the Collyhurst Masterplan. Our objective is to ensure that upcoming developments support and grow the existing community. To achieve this, we recognise the importance of listening to the voices of the current residents.
We are committed to ensuring that the people who currently call Collyhurst home have a meaningful influence on the shaping of their neighbourhood, offering their insights on the kinds of spaces and facilities they desire and need to see in their community.”
Our masterplan team
We undertook a robust selection process to choose the best possible design team to develop the new Collyhurst masterplan. We chose the team that set out an approach which put the existing Collyhurst community at the centre of the design process.
This team is a partnership between several design firms: Mæ (lead architect), Turner.Works (meanwhile use), Schulze+Grassov (landscape and public realm) and IF_DO (community engagement).
Key commitments
At the same time of announcing the start of work on the new Collyhurst masterplan, we confirmed a set of key commitments which will guide future phases of regeneration activity in Collyhurst. We know these commitments are very important to existing Collyhurst residents.
These commitments are all about putting existing Collyhurst residents at the centre of the regeneration process:
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Meaningful and extensive community engagement
The existing community should be at the heart of developing proposals for their neighbourhood that will be of benefit to them and of future residents.
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Retention of the existing community
Development proposals to take account of the needs of existing residents and provide opportunities for all those who wish to stay in Collyhurst and benefit from the regeneration to do so.
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A clear phasing and single move strategy
To provide clarity on when development will take place and wherever possible, if existing residents do need to move home to facilitate development, that this is done through a single move to a suitable home within Collyhurst.
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Reprovision
Social rented homes to be re-provided at a ratio that enables existing Council tenants to remain in Collyhurst in a home suitable to their housing needs.
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Relocation assistance
Appropriate mechanisms are put in place in line with the Council’s Home Improvement and Relocation Assistance Policy to ensure that any owner occupiers affected by future development activity are able to relocate to appropriate and suitable homes.
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Growth in the level of Affordable Housing
To meet the objective of increasing supply of Affordable Housing as set out in the Housing Strategy, that in addition to the reprovision of existing Council homes, a range of additional Affordable Housing products are delivered through any new development that comes forward.
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Delivery of sustainable neighbourhoods
A mix of homes (type and size) and tenures is essential to provide housing choice for future generations and necessary to sustain local services, shops, schools, community facilities, etc.
Engagement process
Existing Collyhurst residents are going to be at the heart of the development of the new Collyhurst masterplan.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, the masterplan team will be listening to and exploring ideas with existing residents through a range of interactive events and activities, which will be inclusive and accessible to all members of the community. This will include workshops and consultation events to listen to the views of local residents and get your feedback, a series of community design sessions involving Collyhurst residents, exhibitions and online engagement too.
The Masterplan Process
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Discover
Purpose: Set the brief
• Gather information
• Listen to the community
• Learn about Collyhurst
• Talk to local stakeholders
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Define
Purpose: Test the brief on the site
• Respond to the brief
• Test ideas with the community
• Use feedback to refine the brief
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Develop
Purpose: Progress design proposals
• Develop proposals from engagement sessions
• Share progress with the community
• Refine designs
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Deliver
Purpose: Prepare planning submission
• Prepare outline planning application
• Finalise drawings and reports
• Submit proposals
Our masterplan team updates us on their ‘discover’ phase of engagement
Over the summer of 2023, we have been out and about in Collyhurst talking to residents at meetings, in one-to-one conversations with individuals and local community organisations, and at the Collyhurst Summer Party.
Hearing your stories and delving into the history of Collyhurst, from its music scene to its local sports heroes (not to mention the role of Collyhurst Sandstone in Manchester’s identity), has been a delight.
This initial discover phase of engagement has been about getting to know you (and introducing ourselves!) and hearing your thoughts and aspirations for the future of Collyhurst.
Our engagement so far has included:
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1480 Newsletters posted
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197 Newsletters emailed
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22 People spoken to over the phone and at workshops
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125 People attended the Collyhurst Summer Party
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52 Community comments collected from residents at the Collyhurst Summer Party
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10 Audio recordings from residents at the Collyhurst Summer Party
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12 Meetings with members of the community
We have learned from many of you that the future of Collyhurst must embody the spirit and essence of its residents. It must be an inclusive place, designed to cater to all members of the community, irrespective of their backgrounds, abilities, or ages.
The main themes that have emerged from our conversations to date:
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The importance of green spaces
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Provision of youth spaces
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Retaining the identity of Collyhurst
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Retaining existing Collyhurst residents throughout the regeneration
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The importance of community facilities
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The significance of social housing provision in Collyhurst
Masterplan engagement activity
The team developing the new masterplan for Collyhurst has been starting work in the area over the last few months. They are looking at things like where new homes will be built, where green spaces and new community facilities should go.
These boards were on display at our public event in Kylies Kitchen on Wednesday 13 March 2024. The drawings are not definitive plans but early ideas which draw together suggestions that we have collected from you.
The early ideas include:
A ‘Social Seam’:
This a route through Collyhurst which provides a safe walking route to connect neighbourhoods and improves the public realm with hard and soft landscaping. It could include:
· new shops and cafes
· improved amenities (facilities for the community)
· cycle routes
· parks and trees
· playgrounds / places for sports
Connected nature trails:
We would like to continue to work with residents on connected nature trails across Collyhurst for:
· Walking
· Cycling routes
· Sports
· Dog walks
These trails will increase biodiversity and wildlife habitats.
Please tell us what you think by filling out the feedback form below!
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