Strangeways could be home to thousands – but there’s one big problem in the way

Strangeways could become home to thousands of new homes under huge redevelopment plans — but there’s one big problem in the way.

Manchester and Salford councils have jointly released a development masterplan for the area, which includes blueprints to build 7,000 homes ‘across seven distinct neighbourhoods’, health facilities, and a park. The authorities believe revitalising the area could create an extra 4,500 jobs for the cities.

The ‘Strangeways and Cambridge strategic regeneration framework’ has been unveiled after GMP cleaned up the area colloquially called ‘Counterfeit Street’ with Operation Vulcan. It covers Salford’s Cambridge Industrial Estate in Broughton, Bury New Road, Cheetham Hill Road, and Cheetham Park in Manchester.

“We have an opportunity to create a platform for development and investment, enabled by the successful work carried out by the Operation Vulcan partnership, to support businesses to grow and prosper in these neighbourhoods — creating thousands of new jobs and support the ongoing growth of our city –- alongside a major new public park and new homes, including council, social and genuinely affordable housing,” said Manchester council leader Bev Craig.

However, there’s a red brick ‘key barrier to regeneration’ in the form of HMP Manchester, which sits at the heart of Strangeways, Coun Craig added.

She continued: “We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also know that energy and a community is brimming with potential.

“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”

Previously, Coun Craig called on the then-Conservative government to relocate the prison, saying ‘the Grade II-listed Victorian building is not suitable for the significant remodelling or expansion it would need to meet modern day requirements for a prison’. The Ministry of Justice said it had no plans to move the facility at the time.

Another challenge facing developers is the risk of flooding, which is prevalent on the Salford side of the River Irwell. The document aims to tackle the risk by installing sustainable urban drainage systems, and Salford mayor Paul Dennett believes ‘the key’ to success ‘will be to balance these needs with what the long-term flood data is telling us and how we future-proof the area against climate change’.

The blueprint will be discussed by the Salford council’s cabinet on 11 March and by Manchester’s executive on 14 March.