Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michael Gove inspected progress on Manchester’s exciting Mayfield development during a visit to the city.
He was joined on a walkaround of the 24-acre site, which is transforming a brownfield site on the eastern edge of the city centre into a distinctive new city centre neighbourhood, by Manchester City Council Leader Bev Craig, Chief Executive Joanne Roney OBE and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Mayfield is being built in a number of phases over 10 years with the first phase – which includes the creation of the new 6.5 acre Mayfield Park, the first new city centre park for more than a century.
Work on the park at the heart of the new district, with an opened-up River Medlock at its centre and children’s play facilities, is well advanced and it is due to open to the public in autumn this year.
When complete Mayfield will provide 1.6 million sq ft of commercial office space supporting around 10,000 new jobs in growth sectors such as digital and tech, and financial and professional services. It will also feature 1,300 new homes, from family houses to apartments and 6.5 acres of public realm.
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig said:
“Mayfield is one of the key developments creating new opportunities, and crucially significant new public green space for Manchester people to enjoy, in the coming years. The opening of the new park later this year will be a big moment.
“It’s incredibly well-connected, close to Piccadilly Station and will help enhance links with Ardwick, Ancoats and New Islington.
“It’s another vibrant symbol of ongoing confidence in the city’s recovery from the economic impacts of the pandemic and I’m glad we’ve had the opportunity to showcase it to a senior government figure.”
