Year five pupils from three Collyhurst schools have taken part in a competition to help name three new social housing apartment blocks.
Around 75 children from Saviour Primary School, St Malachy’s Primary School and Abbott Community Primary School were asked for their naming ideas through workshops in the schools – and the winning names have now been confirmed.
- Sandstone Court – Collyhurst Village (Apartment block adjacent to Sandhills entrance and next to the war memorial)
- Sunrise Court – Collyhurst Village (Apartment block further up Rochdale Road.)
- Greenside Court – South Collyhurst apartment block
The children took part in an interactive workshop exploring how their area has evolved over the years and reflecting on all things Collyhurst. The winning names were inspired by local history, topography and generally what the children love about their neighbourhood.
The competition aimed to engage young people in the community and learn more about the regeneration programme that they will see transforming their neighbourhood in the coming years.
Collyhurst Village and Collyhurst South are part of the first phase of the major Victoria North regeneration project that will see 15,000 new homes built across seven distinct neighbourhoods over the next decade and more in partnership with FEC.
In Collyhurst alone, the Council is building 130 new social rent homes as part of the first development that will see 274 new homes built in total – alongside a new community park. This part of the long-term investment will be completed in 2026, but the first social homes will be completed this spring.
The Council has already begun an ongoing conversation with the local community to help guide the long-term masterplan for the neighbourhood that will underpin the approach to development over the next decade.
This will include building more affordable, sustainable homes and creating different types of housing to support residents at different stages in their life, alongside a proposed new Metrolink stop at Sandhills, quality green spaces, improved walking and cycling routes and better connections to other local neighbourhoods. Proposals will be developed in consultation with the local community.
Future education provision is also being considered to ensure there is enough, good quality provision to meet Primary and Secondary school requirements in this part of the city.
Find out more about the future of Collyhurst
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“We are fully committed to investing further in the Collyhurst neighbourhood in the coming years and working directly with the local community is an essential part of our approach.
“We know how proud local people are about their area and we want to foster that and make sure they are central to the conversation about how the regeneration will improve their neighbourhood in the coming years.
“Working with local schools to name the new social housing apartments is part of this. We want young people to be interested and feel part of the regeneration in their community. Helping to give a name to a new development is permanent reminder that they played an importing role in this project.”
Rebecca Kirkland, Community Liaison Manager for FEC, said:
“Working together with the community remains a central part of our regeneration plans for the area and involving local schools to name the apartments is one of many ways that will ensure a sense of pride and ownership is felt right across the neighbourhood.
The creativity and enthusiasm shown by the young people of Collyhurst was inspiring to see. Their ideas not only celebrate the rich history and character of the area but also highlight the integral role they will play in shaping the community in the coming years.”
