Senior councillors are meting to discuss the matter around Moston’s future
Moston Lane could become one of Manchester’s most important shopping districts(Image: Kenny Brown / MEN)
The future of Moston could change forever based on a decision being made this week.
Plans are moving ahead to designate Moston Lane as Manchester’s 18th ‘district centre’, which would give it a new status as one of the most important parts of the city for shops and businesses, joining areas such as Withington, Chorlton, and Levenshulme.
The idea is to support major investment and regeneration into the north Manchester neighbourhood. Manchester’s most senior councillors are meeting on Wednesday to talk about the future of Moston Lane and the plans to designate it as a district centre, and are expected to show support for the proposals.
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The change is part of Manchester’s draft local plan, a document outlining the future of the city up to 2039, which is set to be formally adopted next summer.
Moston is a diverse corner of Manchester where poverty has affected many families, but its fortunes could soon be transformed.
There are already big plans to change how Moston Lane looks and feels, with a £90m project which includes a new public square, green spaces, and more homes.
Based just four miles from Manchester city centre, it could soon be turned into one of the most exciting parts of the city to live in and visit.
There are major regeneration plans for Moston Lane(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A report was put together about the area’s future, stating that Moston Lane ‘performs an important localised role providing a diverse range of convenience, service and independent retail uses that meet the day-to-day needs of the surrounding community.’
It added that the area has a ‘vibrant street presence, active daytime economy and a strong sense of place, supporting its role as a community-focused high street.’
The report continued: ‘The designation [as a district centre] reflects both the centre’s existing characteristics and its anticipated growth over the plan period, and will provide the necessary policy framework to support its continued development.’
Councillor Gavin White, Manchester council’s lead on housing and regeneration matters, said: “The investment plan for Moston Lane forms one of the most ambitious projects within our city-wide district centre and localities regeneration programme.
“It will see the creation of a brand-new public square, a new NHS GP health centre and new commercial spaces for shops, alongside new genuinely affordable homes for local families and residents.
“This builds on the multi-million-pound investment programme to date across Moston, which has seen new pocket parks and green spaces, road safety works, new alley-gates and investment to tackle fly-tipping and environmental issues.
“Given this current and planned investment and our wider regeneration ambitions for Moston Lane it was important to consider its designation within the draft local plan.
“Following independent analysis from consultants alongside our internal evaluation, we are proposing that Moston Lane becomes the 18th district centre in the city.
“This reflects the ongoing growth of Moston Lane and underlines our commitment to help this high street and wider neighbourhood meet its massive potential in North Manchester.”