Manchester City Council has put forward a basket of projects in advance of this week’s speech by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and asks for £1.5billion national funding for a development programme that can drive economic recovery following the pandemic.
Manchester is looking to move quickly to begin development programmes in the city to ensure economic resilience against the impact of the Covid-19, working collaboratively with the Government and a range of partners – both public and private – to bring projects forward as quickly as possible.
Manchester has put forward more than 60 projects – 31 of which are intended for completion up to 2022 – that will safeguard jobs, generate new employment, drive recovery across the city, and support levelling up in the North of England.
Whilst not an exhaustive list, the shovel ready projects identified are the top priority schemes for the city over the next five years, in terms of their ability to contribute significantly to the city region’s recovery through value added to the city’s economy and job creation.
In total, these projects hold the potential to create around 65,000 new jobs in the city.
These projects will also support the city’s growing population base, with the delivery of a significant phased pipeline of new homes of varying types and tenures, and key national and local recovery priorities of stimulating environmental change, skills development, digital growth and innovation.
Confirmation of successful projects are expected as part of a budget statement from the Chancellor on 8 July.
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council said:
“We cannot play down the challenge we are facing around recovery from the Covid-19 outbreak. As a leading international city our strength has always been capitalising on opportunities for sustainable growth – but we must move at pace to realise this potential.
“The projects that we have put forward represent the city’s highest priority, shovel-ready projects that will give us the best footing for economic growth – while helping us address long standing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
“A continued focus on development will play a fundamental part in the city’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery, it’s important to show that Manchester remains an attractive place for organisations to locate and investment, which in turn guarantees a range of employment opportunities for our residents.”
Highlights of the bid include:
- £220m for the Northern Gateway regeneration project, proposing 15,000 homes across 383 acres
- £120m for ID Manchester, a 4m sq ft mixed-use development at the University of Manchester’s former north campus
- £61m for refurbishments at London Road Fire Station, Campfield on Liverpool Road, Albert Shed on Water Street and the Turing Institute at the University of Manchester
- £35m for a 100,000 sq ft advanced therapy and vaccine manufacturing facility at Wythenshawe Hospital
- £30m for upgrades to walking and cycling routes in Chorlton, Fallowfield and the city centre
- £27.5m for First Street, the office-led mixed-use scheme being developed by Ask Real Estate
- £27.1m for public realm improvements at Lincoln Square, Piccadilly Gardens, The Factory and the Medieval Quarter
- £23m towards the mixed-use redevelopment of Mayfield Depot
- £11.5m for connectivity infrastructure at Enterprise City, part of Allied London’s St John’s district
- £10m for the permanent pedestrianisation of Deansgate
- £6m for the 40-storey St Michael’s tower, being delivered by a joint venture between Jacksons Row Developments, backed by ex-footballers Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs
- £4m for a 90,000 sq ft innovation hub in Hulme
- £3m for a 60,000 sq ft expansion of Didsbury Technology Park to provide a net-zero carbon office building
