A major project to transform Ancoats Green in Manchester has begun.

The work is to develop a much-improved city centre park space as part of the closing chapter of the regeneration of Ancoats that commenced more than 20 years ago.

The Green will act as a new focal point for the area as part of a wider public realm investment in Ancoats that will celebrate the industrial and manufacturing heritage of this part of the city centre. The funds are provided through Homes England and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to create the necessary infrastructure within which 1,500 new homes will be brought forward.

The project will include new walking and cycling routes to encourage active travel through the neighbourhood, significant new planting – including new wildflower areas and wetland planting – and a range of new tress that will add colour throughout the year.

Community is a central tenet of the investment creating high quality multi-functional green space for existing and future generations, including new play areas with accessible equipment, open grassed areas, generous footpaths and space for hosting small events.

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As a nod to the history of the site, once central to the flint glass works district of Ancoats, the entrances to the space will include design features that reference its industrial past.

The Green will also create a seamless route from the Council’s This City affordable housing scheme on Rodney Street (One Ancoats Green) from north Manchester through to the new Mobility Hub and city centre beyond.

Supporting wildlife has also been a key consideration and so increasing biodiversity to encourage new species to the Green through planting of native and fruit trees – including an avenue of cherry trees – as well as the wildflower and wetland areas.

The majority of the existing trees will be retained and any that do need to be removed due to age or disease will be replaced 2:1.The wider investment in the green spaces and public realm is part of the third and final phase of the regeneration of Ancoats, which will also see investment at Jersey Green (to commence 2025) and public realm on Prussia Street (to commence in 2027).

The aim is to create high quality public green spaces that create a strong sense of place and help create a low-traffic, pedestrian first neighbourhood and underpin the development of 1,500 new homes in this part of Ancoats, as well as the creation of a new Mobility Hub.

Homes England has committed £28.1m to the overall project – along with the Mobility Hub - which, combined with the £4.7m allocated by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority through the Brownfield Housing Fund, brings the total budget to £32.7m.