Huge changes could soon be on the way
Drawings of plans to transform the area around Water Street in Manchester city centre(Image: Manchester council)
Part of Manchester city centre could soon be unrecognisable under new plans – and Mancunians can have a say in deciding what happens next. Major works are being planned around Water Street, a corner of central Manchester by the River Irwell.
Sandwiched between Castlefield and Trinity Way, the land around Water Street is currently made up of light industrial units and warehouses. A blueprint was revealed in March by the council showing how the area could be transformed.
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It includes creating a ‘landmark’ park and four new skyscrapers within one of the city centre’s ‘final forgotten corners’. The ground floors of the buildings could be opened up for retail or ‘residential amenity’ spaces.
A vision for Water Street’s arches under the tram tracks(Image: Manchester council)
‘Thousands’ of apartments could be built in the scheme in total, with the council committing to adding ‘more genuinely affordable’ homes with the redevelopment.
That’s along making ‘better walking and cycling routes’ and new uses for the viaduct arches, which have been earmarked for retail and hospitality units.
The advantages of transforming the area are numerous, bosses say. For one, it’s located next to Aviva Studios and the new St John’s neighbourhood, as well as being close to numerous museums and cultural venues. Deansgate is a short walk away for potential future residents.
But sitting on the edge of town, a feeling has grown that the land around Water Street currently feels ‘disconnected’ from the rest of the city.
The council said in its blueprint for the site: “Water Street will evolve from an underused, fragmented site into a connected and vibrant place that supports sustainable living, strengthens movement networks across the western city centre, and contributes positively to the ongoing regeneration of Manchester.”
The plans could create a ‘vibrant’ new neighbourhood in the city(Image: Manchester council)
Speaking in March, Manchester council leader Bev Craig described the area as ‘fragmented’ as the new plans for Water Street were announced.
She added: “But we have a real opportunity to create a thriving new neighbourhood connecting into the historic Castlefield and linking into the vibrant new St Johns area, with another big new city centre park and other green spaces – an inclusive place with affordable homes.”
What happens at Water Street has been likened to the changes that have taken place at Mayfield Park near Piccadilly station.
With huge changes on the way around Water Street, the council is asking Mancunians for their views on the scheme, with comments needed by May 25.
After a public consultation on the plans, the feedback will be reviewed by the council before the masterplan is tweaked and sent for approval.
The scheme includes a new park(Image: Manchester council)
Once adopted, the blueprint will then be used to guide future planning applications and early talks with developers with plans in the city.
Construction in the area is expected to be some years away though, as the scheme needs to work its way through the planning system.
Coun Craig added in March: “Another brand new public park and more genuinely affordable homes are part of our ambition to make the city centre more attractive and more affordable.
“We’ve seen the impact Mayfield has already had in the city centre, and in the last year work has started on the first social housing in the city centre for 40 years – with some schemes delivering a majority of affordable homes.”