Manchester City Council's investment plans for affordable homes in Moston Lane
Above: CGI Moston Lane regeneration in Greater Manchester (courtesy Manchester City Council)
A new Moston Lane Development Framework has been discussed at a meeting this month of the Council’s executive following positive feedback from the local community.
The consultation undertaken over the summer presented proposals for future investment in Moston Lane that aims to support the area to meet its potential over the next decade and more, including a new public square, improved green spaces and affordable housing.
The proposals set out a vision for Moston Lane as a ‘vibrant centre where families, community and culture mix along rejuvenated street and new community focused spaces.’
Around 500 responses were received through the consultation process with the headline proposals positively received.
The key themes fed back from the community included:
Green spaces – to include improved and more visible public green spaces, with more colour and a wider selection of planting.
Public Square – the majority of respondents welcomed the idea of a new public square. The exact location is yet to be agreed and its design will be subject to further public consultation.
Shops on the Lane – a desire to widen the shopping offer in the area, citing a current oversupply of takeaways, convenience stores and hair and beauty salons. The framework aims to encourage a wider variety of retailers by facilitating larger retail units, with opportunities for existing businesses to grow. A package of business support measures is also proposed for the area.
Affordable Housing – the majority of respondents were in support of additional homes around Moston Lane, including affordable tenures to meet high demand.
Social Infrastructure – in response to new housing, the framework will explore, in consultation with NHS and health partners, how health services and education facilities could be considered as part of future development.
Following consultation, the updated development plan includes seven opportunities for change on Moston Lane - building on the area’s strengths and identifying investment:
Establish a stronger local centre with the creation of a new community focused public space
Support the delivery of new homes, including affordable housing
Improve the quality and management of the existing private rented homes
Enhance the quality of the public realm along Moston Lane
Support more sustainable movement and active travel through Moston Lane and the surrounding green spaces
Enhance existing public spaces for the local community
Manage and improve car parking within the centre
The Council has also already been awarded £5million through the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to invest and improve district centres across Manchester.
£1million of this funding will be used for a range of projects in and around Moston Lane. These include investing in three local public spaces – the Peace Gardens, Moston Green, and the Simpson Memorial Hall - as well as work to improve local parking and investment in the local environment that includes new alley gates and commercial bin stores.
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development said:
“We have put together an ambitious plan for Moston Lane and one that we feel will deliver a high street and district centre that better meets the needs of local people – and create a real destination in the community.
“Consultation responses from local people always provide invaluable feedback and we’d like to thank the large number of people who took time to comment. This insight has already helped guide the development plan that will steer investment in the area in the coming years.
“The next step is to develop some more specific plans for Moston Lane, and as these ideas begin to come to life, we will be asking local people for their feedback again. But we also want to keep momentum going and we will be looking to start some projects quickly – including improving the public spaces at the Peace Gardens and Moston Green.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:
“We are committed to generating investment right across the city, and we have some exciting plans for our district centres outside of the city centre and improving local high streets which are essential hubs for our communities.
“We are already coming up with new plans in Moston, Gorton, Withington, and Wythenshawe – alongside other neighbourhoods across north Manchester – will all receive improvements to better serve the residents who use them everyday.
“This is about providing good services in attractive and welcoming spaces, but importantly also supporting the economic potential of our high streets, helping new and existing businesses thrive.”