Manchester City Council and the Government Property Agency (GPA) have kicked off a consultation process on plans to redevelop a former retail site into a government digital campus and a new city centre park. The consultation, which began today (Tuesday, 27 August), seeks feedback from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to shape the future of the site.
The council’s Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for the area, updated in March 2023, outlines key principles: developing low-carbon office spaces and creating accessible green areas to boost economic growth in Manchester’s city centre.
New Digital Campus in Ancoats
The GPA acquired five acres of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats from the city council in May, with plans to build a modern government digital campus. This new development will consolidate several Civil Service departments with a focus on digital skills, eventually housing around 7,000 civil servants. The campus is expected to create numerous job opportunities and drive economic growth in the region.
New City Centre Park
The proposed park, designed in partnership with landscape architects Planit-IE, aims to address the need for attractive green spaces in the city centre. The park will feature new walking routes, enhancing connectivity between Ancoats, the Northern Quarter, and the Etihad Campus. It will also provide better access to Cotton Field Park and Ancoats Marina, complementing the ongoing redevelopment of nearby Ancoats Green.
Further development of the site will occur in later phases, with detailed design work continuing after the consultation concludes.
Public Consultation Details
Residents and businesses can participate in the consultation online or attend in-person events at Halle St Peter’s, Ancoats on Tuesday, September 10. Two sessions are available: 12pm to 2.30pm and 5pm to 7pm. Feedback can also be provided by calling 0808 175 3408 for those with accessibility needs or without internet access. The consultation will close on September 23, 2024, after which final proposals will be developed, and planning applications submitted.
