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Plans submitted for ambitious Red Bank infrastructure regeneration project

  • Application is part of long-term Victoria north plans to reinvigorate area
  • It is hoped developments will pave way for 5,500 new carbon efficient homes in area

Plans have been submitted for an ambitious infrastructure regeneration project linking Collyhurst with the city centre.

The Red Bank improvements are the first steps of the city council’s exciting City River Park plans, a 15-25-year project.

The plans will be funded by a £51m grant from the government’s £4bn housing infrastructure fund which is aimed at giving local authorities the tools to regenerate areas of the country to unlock new housing opportunities. 

It is hoped that when the project is completed, upwards of 15,000 homes will have been built in the north of the city.

It is also intended to improve biodiversity, as the plans for the area will hopefully help to encourage wildlife back to the Irk Valley, with the aim to improve biodiversity by 10%.

To do this the council will look to remove invasive species of plants such as the Japanese Knotweed, bringing back a wider range of plants and wildlife to improve the cleanliness of the River Irk.

These plans will look to take the disused rail line north of Victoria Station into the new Viaduct Linear Park, building a family-friendly green space around the viaduct already in the area.

It is hoped that the creation of new green areas in Victoria North will stimulate the construction of 5,500 new homes.

To help encourage new housing projects the council are investing heavily in the infrastructure of the area. Plans include building a new permanent road and junction to improve the transport links in the area.

As well as the roads, the council will create a new drainage system as well as utility infrastructure.

Manchester City Councils’ executive member for housing and employment, Councillor Gavin White said: “The emerging Red Bank neighborhood will eventually deliver 5,500 new homes across a range of tenures, including affordable housing.

“It’s fantastic to be out of the starting blocks for this programme of development and it’s a pleasure to see Victoria North beginning to realise its potential.”

Council leader Bev Craig, added: “This is a long-term, aspirational programme of regeneration – and represents exactly the type of vision we should be striving for in our city to meet the demand for new housing, many of which will be social and genuinely affordable homes while creating sustainable and attractive neighbourhoods.

“It’s brilliant to see this ambition begin to come to life.”