Part of the huge derelict car park on Great Ancoats Street – former home to Toys R Us – is set to become Manchester’s newest park.
The 10-acre plot has been left undeveloped since the Central Retail Park was demolished in 2019, but now a 2.4 chunk of it is to become new green space, connecting Cotton Field Park with New Islington Marina.
The public green space will be part of a ‘state-of-the-art digital campus’, part of a new government complex being built for the Civil Service in Manchester.
The new complex will deliver 7000 new jobs.
“The new park will help meet demand for high-quality green space in the city centre and will complement other green investment – including Ancoats Green – in this neighbourhood,” said council leader Bev Craig.
“We are beginning to see the potential of this site unlocked and the plans being developed by the council and the GPA meet the ambitions we have for this important site – including a new city centre park and digital campus that will be home to 7,000 civil servant jobs.
“As ever, consultation is the opportunity for our residents to give us feedback on the emerging proposals and help guide this investment that will benefit Mancunians for years to come.”
At one time, the land, which had been bought by the council for £37 million, was set to be a pay-and-display car park, but plans were shelved following a backlash.
Public consultation on the plans will end on September 23 and locals are invited to give feedback online or at two public consultations at Halle St Peter’s on Blossom Street – September 10 at 12pm to 2.30pm or 5pm to 7pm.
Read more:
Eat Well MCR to host the Eat Well Do Good festival
Blue plaque for Manchester music icon Denise Johnson
Manchester Literature Festival announces 2024 line-up
