Artist’s impression of how Manchester’s new Holt Town development may look (Image: Manchester City Council)
This is the stunning plan for a new “woodland town” of 4,500 homes on land by ‘s ground – dubbed the next model for urban regeneration.
Holt Town will be built on disused land and buildings from the city centre to the Etihad Campus which Manchester Council leader Bev Craig claims will be “a new town within the city”.
The new ‘town’, boasting its own tram stop, will regenerate historical mills and warehouse buildings and Craig said it could be a UK model for such schemes – and the next “urban regeneration exemplar” for the city.
On Wednesday 22nd January, councillors will be asked to approve the plans next week, following positive feedback from comprehensive public consultation last year.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester.
What part of Holt Town could look like (Image: Manchester City Council)
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Another view of the new Holt Town (Image: Manchester City Council)
The Holt Town development could spark similar ones in other UK cities (Image: Manchester City Council)
“We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options.
“This neighbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.
“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”
Holt Town is described by the council as “a major regeneration opportunity to develop a new mixed use neighbourhood, highly sustainable with thousands of new homes of different types and tenures – from family housing through to age friendly and key worker apartments – incorporating high quality green spaces surrounding a 1km play street spine, provision of new local services, cultural opportunities, and significant affordable workspace.”
Situated along the Medlock Valley between the bustling areas of Ancoats and New Islington and the dynamic zones of Sportcity and the Etihad Campus, it is hoped investment in Holt Town will unlock a missing link.
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Map shows area of new development (Image: Manchester City Council)
The development takes a carbon neutral approach and will encourage social housing, at least 20 per cent affordable homes, and other properties, alongside office space that could generate up to 1,500 full-time jobs.
Other proposals include a 300-capacity “cultural and community hub” and a new lido, with active travel prioritised over car use throughout the scheme.
About 15-acres of green space and a new river park have also been proposed.
A Council spokesman said the plans would complement “the emerging commercial offer” in the city centre, and at the nearby Sportcity and, the Etihad Campus.
The council added: “Work is already underway on a phasing plan for investment with a view to levering both public sector funding and private investment.
“A future paper to the Council’s executive will be submitted outlining the delivery approach.”
Holt Town will be on land near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium (Image: Getty Images)