A project to enhance three public spaces on Moston Lane has been completed and unveiled formally to the public this weekend, signalling the start of a wide range of investment projects in the communit
A project to enhance three public spaces on Moston Lane has been completed and unveiled formally to the public this weekend, signalling the start of a wide range of investment projects in the community.
Ahead of the annual Africa Day celebration on Moston Lane, a planting ceremony was held in the Peace Gardens to mark the official reopening of the refurbished pocket parks.
The revived Peace Gardens, St Dunstan’s Green and the Simpson Memorial Hall Garden will each create areas of peace and quiet reflection for local residents to enjoy and encourage people to spend time on the high street.
Funded by the UK Government, this initial investment on Moston Lane followed consultation with local people and businesses that helped create a long-term development plan for the area.
Improvements to the local environment making it cleaner and more welcoming have already been completed, including changes to commercial waste collection to reduce litter issues, alongside new alleygating schemes to improve safety in local residential areas.
Highways investment both on the Lane and adjacent streets – including additional bollards, new road markings, and relocating certain loading bays – will improve road safety and address dangerous parking, creating a more welcoming environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Simpson Memorial Hall also received substantial investment as part of this programme, with repairs to the roof, brickwork and windows.
Looking ahead to the long-term regeneration opportunities in the Moston Lane regeneration framework, the Council is going to establish a forum for residents and businesses in and around Moston Lane to help shape the development plans for new public spaces, housing and businesses as they come forward.
The group would be a chance to find out more about the long-term plans for the neighbourhood and help guide emerging proposals for future investment, while also acting as advocates for the community.
More details, including how people can become involved, will be revealed later this summer.
Long term investment in Moston
North Manchester is a priority for Council-led investment with Moston Lane an important element of the city-wide district centre programme to deliver new jobs, impactful community and neighbourhood projects and homes – with a focus on affordable tenures.
Moston Lane will be regenerated with hundreds of new homes, space for a new public square, and local businesses. The search for a development delivery partner will conclude later in the year.
New housing in this area remains a key priority to help meet demand for quality, sustainable and affordable homes in the city – and the Council is working closely with the city’s housing providers to maintain a pipeline of home building in the area.
The first housing completions are already underway, with One Manchester constructing 60 new low carbon, affordable homes on the adjacent former Manchester College Campus.
Jigsaw Housing are also delivering 20 new affordable homes for social rent on Sulby Street along with a site on Kenyon Lane to construct nine affordable homes at the Manchester Living Rent as part of Project 500.
While One Manchester are developing 29 affordable homes for social rent on Winston Road, Hodge Street and Lordship Close – another Project 500 site in Moston.
Find out more about the Council’s investment in the city’s high streets and district centres
Leader of the Council Bev Craig said:
“North Manchester is an area of key focus for Council investment to build quality new homes, improve neighbourhoods and create jobs for our residents. Part of this is our commitment to investing in our high streets as the beating hearts of our communities – and Moston Lane is a great example of this.
“This is about creating district centres that our residents can be proud of. Spaces that attract visitors to support local businesses and create opportunities for local economic growth.
“These initial projects to create new and improved green spaces on Moston Lane is only the beginning for this community that will see hundreds of new homes – with a focus on genuinely social rent and affordable housing – a new public square and opportunities for new shops and businesses.”
Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said:
“Moston Lane is an incredibly important space for the local community and is brimming with untapped potential. Our investment has now begun with three improved green, tranquil pocket parks for local people to enjoy and encourage them to spend time on their high street. But it really is a case of watch this space for Moston because there is far more to come – and we look forward to continuing the conversation with local residents about the future of their neighbourhood.”
John Curtin, organising member of Africa Day on Moston Lane, said:
“There’s huge pride in the Moston community and we know that lots of local people have been calling for investment on the Lane for some time to support the local businesses and bring more people to our high street. It’s great to open the new mini parks open to the public this week – already it feels like a change in our neighbourhoood. But there’s more to come – and I can’t wait to see it.”
