WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SHAPE MANCHESTER’S BIGGEST RENEWAL PROJECT
VICTORIA NORTH IS TAKING A BIG STEP FORWARD AS WE START TO DEVELOP PLANS TO TRANSFORM THE RED BANK NEIGHBOURHOOD.
Far East Consortium (FEC) and Manchester City Council are starting to develop proposals for the next phase of major development at Victoria North. The plans include the transformation of the Red Bank neighbourhood to create a sustainable residential-led neighbourhood which reinvigorates the green spaces along the River Irk Valley and brings nature into the city.
Currently an underused part of the city, its riverside setting and unique industrial heritage make Red Bank the perfect location for a well-connected residential neighbourhood.
Over the coming months, the plans for the Red Bank neighbourhood will be developed and we want you to get involved. Local residents, businesses and community groups all have a valuable role to play in helping to shape these exciting plans.
WHAT IS VICTORIA NORTH?
Victoria North, previously known as the Northern Gateway, is the biggest renewal project Manchester’s ever seen.
Jointly developed and funded by FEC and Manchester City Council, Victoria North is set to transform the neighbourhoods running north of the city centre along the River Irk, from Red Bank and New Cross up to Collyhurst. With a long term plan to create 15,000 new homes, the sustainable new residential communities will benefit from new and improved transport links, community facilities and a network of green public spaces.
INTRODUCING THE RED BANK REGENERATION PROJECT
The Red Bank neighbourhood stretches from the edge of the Green Quarter along the River Irk Valley up to Collyhurst Road.
The Red Bank neighbourhood (exact planning boundaries to be confirmed)
Red Bank is one of the seven neighbourhoods identified within the approved Strategic Regeneration Framework for Victoria North (formerly known as the Northern Gateway). We are starting to design a holistic plan for Red Bank which will create a new, distinctive residential neighbourhood over the next 10 years.
The Red Bank area suffers from a legacy of former industrialised uses, has poor access routes and very limited water and electricity supply, so a series of infrastructure projects need to be delivered before the new homes can be built.
The Joint Venture between FEC and Manchester City Council has successfully secured £51.6 million from the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund to deliver these infrastructure works and address some of the challenges in the neighbourhood.
Crucially, this initial investment will also fund the major improvements to St Catherine’s Wood and the River Irk to create the first phase of the City River Park at the heart of the new neighbourhood.
Victoria North Illustrative Masterplan from the approved SRF (Click the arrows to the right for next image)
WHAT WILL THE PLANS FOR RED BANK INCLUDE?
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Up to 5,500 new homes across a range of tenure types and sizes, including affordable homes, set within high quality public realm
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New community facilities
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5 hectares of new or improved green space, including the revitalisation of St Catherine’s Wood
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New walking and cycling routes to improve connections between neighbouring communities
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Improvements to the River Irk to enhance the river environment, including measures to help prevent flooding
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Low carbon neighbourhood that delivers development in a sustainable way
We’re not starting the regeneration of Red Bank from scratch. In the last few years, several independent businesses have made their home at Red Bank, drawing more visitors to this area. Our plans will seek to support these trailblazing businesses and encourage others to join them.
KEY FEATURES OF A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD
Over the next few months, we want to talk to you about your priorities as we look to design the Red Bank neighbourhood.
We’ll be following the principles set out in the Northern Gateway Strategic Regeneration Framework, and we’ve already had some initial ideas about the type of neighbourhood we think we’d like to create.
A neighbourhood that’s home to a diverse mix of people, including residents across all age groups and a mix of local and independent businesses.
A low carbon neighbourhood that delivers development in a sustainable way and reinvigorates the green spaces along the river valley.
A connected neighbourhood, where all key local amenities and facilities are within a 20-minute walk, with safe routes for walking, cycling and running.
A neighbourhood with a strong connection to nature, with access to the river’s edge, woodland, and places to sit, relax and play.
OUR CONSULTATION TIMELINE
Due to the complexity of the regeneration proposals at Red Bank, a series of planning applications are proposed to set out the infrastructure, park and residential ambitions for the neighbourhood.
Starting now and continuing into mid-2022, you will have the opportunity to provide your views and influence the plans at several different stages:
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Now October 2021
Introducing the vision for the Red Bank neighbourhood and the consultation process ahead. Gathering initial feedback to guide the design of St Catherine’s Wood at the heart of the new neighbourhood. Submission of an enabling works planning application to secure safe access to the site and ensure future infrastructure works can be delivered as early as possible.
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Late Autumn 2021
Public consultation on the overarching plan for the Red Bank neighbourhood, with an introduction to ideas around the location and density of new homes, community facilities and public spaces. Seeking views on the more detailed design proposals for St Catherine’s Wood following initial feedback.
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Winter 2021/22
Submission of the planning application for infrastructure works including the park plans at St Catherine’s Wood.
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Spring 2022
Public consultation on the more progressed plans for the Red Bank neighbourhood, including the first new homes to be designed in detail.
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Late Spring / Early Summer 2022
Submission of planning applications for works to the River Irk, including flood alleviation and river quality improvements, as well as the wider residential and neighbourhood development.
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2022 Onwards
Infrastructure work on site gets underway at St Catherine’s Wood and the River Irk, which should be completed in 2024, with the first phase of residential development to follow.
HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED
Register to receive updates via email
This website will be kept up to date with all our latest news, consultation documents and feedback questionnaires. You can also register to receive consultation updates directly to your inbox.
Come along to our first set of consultation events at GRUB
Our design team are starting to develop ideas for the regeneration of St Catherine’s Wood, which will sit at the heart of the Red Bank neighbourhood. At this early stage in the design process, we’d like to gather views about how local people use St Catherine’s Wood at the minute and understand how you would like to use the space in the future.
If you would like to learn more about the vision for Red Bank and the ideas for St Catherine’s Wood, please come along to our upcoming consultation events at GRUB where you can chat to members of our team. As well as viewing and discussing our plans, there will be opportunities to visit St Catherine’s Wood with members of our design team.
Thursday 21 October 2021, 3pm to 7pm
Friday 22 October 2021, 1:30pm to 5pm
Venue: GRUB, 50 Red Bank, Manchester M4 4HF
Contact us
Any questions? Feel free to get in touch. You can also sign up to our mailing list to receive updates on the Red Bank proposals.
Phone: 08081 699993
