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).

Three women chatting at the Collyhurst Summer Party

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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

Discover

Purpose: Set the brief
• Gather information
• Listen to the community
• Learn about Collyhurst
• Talk to local stakeholders
Define

Purpose: Test the brief on the site
• Respond to the brief
• Test ideas with the community
• Use feedback to refine the brief
Develop

Purpose: Progress design proposals
• Develop proposals from engagement sessions
• Share progress with the community
• Refine designs
Deliver

Purpose: Prepare planning submission
• Prepare outline planning application
• Finalise drawings and reports
• Submit proposals

‘Discover’ phase of engagement

Over the summer of 2023, the masterplan team were 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 was 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:

1480 Newsletters posted
197 Newsletters emailed
22 People spoken to over the phone and at workshops
125 People attended the Collyhurst Summer Party
52 Community comments collected from residents at the Collyhurst Summer Party
10 Audio recordings from residents at the Collyhurst Summer Party
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:

The importance of green spaces
Provision of youth spaces
Retaining the identity of Collyhurst
Retaining existing Collyhurst residents throughout the regeneration
The importance of community facilities
The significance of social housing provision in Collyhurst

‘Define’ phase of engagement

In Spring 2024, the team developing the new masterplan for Collyhurst has been starting started work in the area over the last few months. They are looking looked 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 included.

A ‘Social Seam’:

This is 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.

As part of this engagement activity, we also asked residents the following questions at the public event.

What do Collyhurst residents want?

Post-Office
More Parks
Library
People prefer smaller youth clubs
To follow nature’s design - use circular, tubular, oval, and round geometry like nature.
A community building hub for groups + residents at low-cost room hire, run by the existing community in the area.
More nature trails
There is already a boxing gym that is out of the area. There is a strong boxing culture in the area.
A perminant growing space.
Spaces to socialise when the weather is not outside.
Near the vine and on Eggington street there are two MUGAs (multi-use games area). One would be better!
A bar to socialise with friends and family.
Somewhere to walk safely with dogs.
Healthcare and community centre.

Speech bubbles containing feedback from local residents Social SEAM. Details in the text to the left.

What are 10 things that come to resident’s minds when they think of Collyhurst?

Loss of community
Close to town.
No disability awareness.
The arches.
There is no reason to pause in Collyhurst.
Neglected, unsafe, fear.
Home.
Forgotten.
Empty.
Green.
Cars, motorbikes

Speech bubbles containing 10 things local residents think about Collyhurst. Details in the text to the left.

What feedback have Collyhurst’s residents provided on the Social Seam?

Brilliant. More nature to Manchester City is very needed indeed. Please ensure it has enough light and cameras if necessary. Safety would be my concern when travelling back home at night time.
Think it would be great for the community and give more opportunities.
I hope some sports facilities go ahead as at the moment they don’t have any facilities.
Ensure it is well maintained and landscaped. No sycamores!
Very good idea.
Seam will be great if we synergies and align with nature, human health and design using the laws of nature and its geometry.
I think it’s a great idea to bring the community together.
It seems a good idea. It’s what this area needs. I hope this goes ahead with the recreation / sports facilities because at the moment the children have no facilities.
I like the idea of a safe + pleasant walking routes linking the area. There are issues with littering + tipping in the areas so this would need to be taken into account.
I think it’s a really good idea. If the allotment needs decent produce - we need berries and fruits that can be used in the community. We need to know where its going and what will be affected. Collyhurst walking group + Irk Valley Sandhills Friends group could help(with nature trails).
It will be good as long as it is maintained and well lit.
It’s a great idea especially for older people.
It will be a positive attribution to this area.
I think it would improve the area, but will create a divide between people who can’t afford to shop there.
Love this.
It’s a good idea that we can connect to Collyhurst. Maybe it is worth including a square surrounded by cafes, shops and pedestrianised ect.

We also held a co-design workshop with a smaller group of residents and stakeholders, and asked them to get involved in answering the following question and taking part in our co-design activity.

Speech bubbles containing feedback from local residents. Details in the text to the left.

Co-design collages

Engagement summary from ‘define’ phase

Almost one third of all feedback related to the creation of places for gathering

There is a strong desire for a healthcare and community centre to serve the residents.
Residents also express interest in community building hubs, suggesting a need for spaces where groups and residents can gather.
Public art improvements accounted for 5% of the feedback gathered

Public art projects involving local children are seen as valuable for the community’s identity and cultural recognition.
There is a desire for recognition of Collyhurst’s history - possibly through designated walking trails or signage.
Over 30% mentioned amenity related improvements

Concerns were raised about the lack of essential amenities such as supermarkets, laundrettes, gyms, leisure centres and dentists.
Residents emphasise the need for local provision of leisure facilities to reduce the necessity of traveling outside the area.
Respondents value existing green spaces and called for more

The community values existing green spaces and want to preserve them.
There is a call for more parks, nature trails, and a preference for circular and natural designs in development projects.
10% of feedback emphasised the need for more spaces for play

There was an emphasis on creating spaces tailored to children and teenagers, including playgrounds and outdoor leisure areas.
The third most frequently suggested improvements focused on sports and active spaces

Residents are particularly interested in urban sport opportunities
There is a desire for more sports pitches integrated throughout Collyhurst
Residents prefer smaller youth clubs and express interest in facilities like multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and boxing gyms, reflecting the strong boxing culture in the area.