Consultations are to begin on a draft regeneration plan for Withington Village in Manchester.

The plan sets out the vision and development opportunities will be presented to a meeting of the executive ahead of full consultation on the proposals.

Withington is an active neighbourhood of engaged community groups, which have bid for development funding in the past (Heritage Lottery Funding and High Street Fund) which were unsuccessful.

However, local groups have continued to work towards improvement projects, including neighbourhood events to boost trade and improvements to the appearance of public space in the area.

The Withington Village Framework is a draft plan to support the existing, strong local partnerships with a long-term strategy for the neighbourhood, drawn up following initial conversation with local people, businesses and groups.

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The draft plan will now be subject to public consultation ahead of a final framework plan to be submitted to the executive for approval.

Cllr Suzanne Richards, Manchester City Council's executive member for housing and regeneration, said: "The Withington neighbourhood has missed out on national funding a few times in the near past but it’s clear that the strength of the local community partnership has already brought about significant improvements using the resources and opportunities they have generated by working as a collective.

"Of course, the impact of Covid-19 on our local districts is yet to be fully understood, but many have shown themselves to be resilient and a vital resource for local people at this difficult time. It's important that plans are now developed to support local areas in their recovery and for the future. .

"From the outset this plan has been developed in partnership with the local community, Councillors and wider stakeholders. It's now time to put these plans to the wider community. A consultation will begin soon around the proposals for Withington Village and I'd urge local people to get involved."