New Development Framework maps out the future of Gorton Town Centre

New Development Framework maps out the future of Gorton Town Centre

A new masterplan that will help guide future development in the heart of Gorton – including new shops, public realm and affordable housing – is set to be agreed at a meeting of the Council’s executive

A public consultation over the Christmas period gained valuable feedback from local people, attracting more than 260 responses – alongside two in-person drop-in events – with the majority of feedback providing very positive comments about future investment in the neighbourhood.  

The feedback from local people and businesses has informed the development of a development masterplan for the area, which will be used to guide future investment in Gorton’s district centre.  

The key principles for development include: 

  • Creating a more attractive environment that is more comfortable for local people and visitors to spend time in 
  • Extend the time residents and visitors spend within the local area beyond the tradition weekday 9am-5pm – including night time activities 
  • Expand the diversity of the shops in the area through a wider commercial offer 
  • Improve walking and cycling routes to and through the local area  
  • Creating a new heart of the community, focusing upon Garratt Way; and the new town square 
  • Create a new quality centre public space within the centre through new planting schemes and landscaping 
  • Opportunity to deliver 400 new homes on brownfield land with a mixed tenure approach that matches local housing demand – including affordable housing 

Specific opportunities in the area: 

  • Expand the offer of the successful indoor market to expand, such as new food and beverage businesses, and develop the current building, including improving the frontages and futureproofing the property through decarbonisation investment.  
  • Council-owned land (2.5ha) to the north of Garratt Way provides an opportunity for both residential and commercial development, alongside a new high-quality public square space, helping to attract new business and residents to the Gorton area. 
  • Identify and deliver a long-term and sustainable facility for the current gymnastics club. Following short to medium term investment in the current centre, a new facility could provide a contemporary, purpose-built centre that would meet the standards of the modern sport. Any new facility in the future would be fully operational before closing at the existing site to ensure training continuity for the club.  

Key amendments to the Gorton Development Framework following public consultation: 

  • Strong engagement around the gymnastics centre highlighted the importance of supporting the club to continue operating long-term (see above).  
  • Very clear aspirations from the consultation respondents that investment should unlock new walking and cycling opportunities, alongside improved footpaths – in particular better pedestrian connections across Hyde Road (to connect the community to the new Gorton Hub) and along Garratt Way. 
  • Comments referred to improving safety through improved lighting on all existing and new footpaths.  
  • Respondents agreed that the area needed a new town centre that would be the focus of the district centre – and could also host community events.  
  • And to ensure the investment better connect the new town centre to Belle Vue Railway Station. 

Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: 

“The recent consultation has given us some real impetus to push forward with further investment in the Gorton District Centre – and it’s been brilliant to receive the positive feedback from local people that the high-level proposals are welcomed.   

 “There are some key areas from the responses that we will now ensure are key principles for development, including new affordable housing, a new public square and more shops – but also to assure a future for the Gymnastics centre, which has had a home in the local area for some time.   

 “Gaining insight and support of local people is always invaluable for the success of any development – but when it comes to a local district that is widely used and popular with local people, it becomes even more vital. So I’d like to thank everyone who took part and we look forward to a bright future in Gorton.” 

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