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PROJECT TO TRANSFORM ANCOATS GREEN IN TO THE ‘ GREEN HEART ’ OF THE COMMUNITY STARTS ON SITE
Major investment at Ancoats Green is now underway to create a much-improved city centre park space as part of the closing chapter of the regeneration of Ancoats that began more than 20 years ago .
The Green will act as a new focal point for the area as part of a wider public realm investment in Ancoats that will celebrate the industrial and manufacturing heritage of this part of the city centre . The funds are provided through Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to create the necessary infrastructure within which 1,500 new homes will be brought forward .
The project will include new walking and cycling routes to encourage active travel through the neighbourhood , significant new planting – including new wildflower areas and wetland planting – and a range of new tress that will add colour throughout the year .
Community is a central tenet of the investment creating high quality multi-functional green space for existing and future generations , including new play areas with accessible equipment , open grassed areas , generous footpaths and space for hosting small events .
As a nod to the history of the site , once central to the flint glass works district of Ancoats , the entrances to the space will include design features that reference its industrial past .
The Green will also create a seamless route from the Council ’ s This City affordable housing scheme on Rodney Street ( One Ancoats Green ) from north Manchester through to the new Mobility Hub and city centre beyond .
Ancoats ’ green transformation in numbers : 1380m2 of new planting
• 3650m2 of wildflowers
• 290m2 wetland planting
• 76 % net increase in trees – any trees removed ( either due to disease or those with a limited life span ) will be replaced 2:1
• A wide variety of trees will also be chosen to add colour and interest through different seasons
• Highly sustainable design – at least 30 % of new surfaces will be made from reclaimed materials to create a permeable drainage system
• Granite paving stones removed from Albert Square ( as part of the ongoing Our Town Hall project ) will be lovingly reused at Ancoats Green , celebrating the city ’ s story and reducing the carbon footprint of the development .
Supporting wildlife has also been a key consideration and so increasing biodiversity to encourage new species to the Green through planting of native and fruit trees – including an avenue of cherry trees – as well as the wildflower and wetland areas .
The majority of the existing trees will be retained and any that do need to be removed due to age or disease will be replaced 2:1 . The wider investment in the green spaces and public realm is part of the third and final phase of the regeneration of Ancoats , which will also see investment at Jersey Green ( to commence 2025 ) and public realm on Prussia Street ( to commence in 2027 ).
The aim is to create high quality public green spaces that create a strong sense of place and help create a low-traffic , pedestrian first neighbourhood and underpin the development of 1,500 new homes in this part of Ancoats , as well as the creation of a new Mobility Hub .
Homes England has committed £ 28.1m to the overall project – along with the Mobility Hub – which , combined with the £ 4.7m allocated by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the Brownfield Housing Fund , brings the total budget to £ 32.7m .
Leader of the Council , Cllr Bev Craig , said : “ Ancoats and New Islington – and Miles Platting to the north – are proving incredibly popular places to live and it ’ s not surprising as a city centre location close to jobs , services and entertainment , alongside excellent transport links .
“ We also know that more and more people are choosing to have families in the city centre and we have an opportunity through this investment to create a new green heart for Ancoats with open grassed spaces and new play park that will allow the community grow and knit around it .
“ This is part of a long-standing and long-term commitment that we have to make Manchester a greener , more attractive and cleaner place to live . We are committed to creating more high-quality green spaces for residents and visitors and this project is echoed by green investment across our city – including throughout or Victoria North programme , as well as the former Central Retail Park and our new Mayfield Park .
“ Ancoats Green will be the focal point that this neighbourhood needs , becoming the lynchpin of the ongoing development in the area – and the final chapter on the regeneration of Ancoats over the last two decades .”
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