The project’s draft regeneration framework, a joint venture between Manchester City Council and property developer Far East Consortium (FEC), will be considered by the council tomorrow (25 July) for the first time.

The major development for the 155ha site to the north of Victoria station, which runs through the Lower Irk Valley, New Cross and Collyhurst, aims to build a mix of 15,000 new homes over the next 15 years.

It aims to develop new and existing neighbourhoods as part of an extended city centre as well as the creation of City River Park, a central green space to be located along the banks of the River Irk.


According to the council, the scheme will ’celebrate the existing architectural features of the valley’, including Manchester’s Victorian railway arches.

Suzanne Richards, Manchester Council’s housing chief, said: ’The draft framework gives us a real feel of how these exciting plans are coming together and will help us inform the tone of specific plans for the Northern Gateway over the next 10 to 15 years.

’We will be listening to and working with existing communities. It’s important that, as one of the largest residential-led developments the UK has ever seen, the Northern Gateway maintains its authentic Manchester roots.’

The council said it would be launching a major consultation in the coming months on the draft framework.

Also appointed on the Northern Gateway team are Arup, landscape architect Planit IE, and planning consultancy HOW.