A New Towns Unit will be established by the government to progress development on these new towns, working with all departments and their agencies to ensure they become a test bed for innovation and to unblock barriers to delivery.
The proposed sites span urban extensions, brownfield regeneration zones and standalone greenfield settlements, collectively capable of delivering up to 300,000 homes over the coming decades.
Victoria North is 15,000-home inner-city new town across 155 hectares of brownfield land northeast of Manchester city centre.
The area includes Collyhurst, one of the city’s most deprived neighbourhoods, and aims to deliver social regeneration alongside economic growth.
A joint venture between Manchester City Council and Far East Consortium controls the majority of land. Infrastructure upgrades are needed, including a new Metrolink station and remediation of industrial land.
The proposal builds on £90bn of economic activity in Greater Manchester, supporting high-skilled job growth and improving access to the city centre.
Early phases are under way, but new town status could help address viability issues and ensure delivery of affordable housing above the current 20 per cent ambition.
The Leader of Manchester City Council, welcomed the Government’s New Towns Taskforce announcement that has pledged support to deliver a major regeneration programme in the city that will see 15,000 homes built in the next 15 years.
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council said: “Having Government’s full backing to deliver the major Victoria North regeneration programme through the New Town Task Force is great news for Manchester – and a resounding endorsement for our vision for inclusive, sustainable growth, and a clear sign that this transformational project is a national priority.
“Victoria North is one of the largest and most ambitious programmes of regeneration in Europe, which is creating a new town in our city – 15,000 new homes across seven distinct neighbourhoods, each connected by excellent green spaces and a new 40hectare River City Park, all while creating jobs and opportunities for our residents.
“We are already welcoming residents into the first completed homes, including the first of 130 social rent properties in Collyhurst, and this announcement gives us the key backing to crack on – and a vote of confidence that Manchester, along with our partners, can deliver once-in-a-generation regeneration at this scale.”
The government is now undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment to determine which sites will progress, with three locations – Tempsford, Crews Hill and Leeds South Bank – highlighted as particularly promising in its initial response.
