The Mayfield Partnership has started work on a £1.4bn regeneration development in Mayfield, Manchester.
The scheme will see the delivery of 1,500 homes, 1.6m sq ft of commercial space, as well as 300,000 sq ft of retail and leisure facilities.
It will also see the development of the city’s first new public park in over 100 years.
Richard Upton, chief development officer at U+I, said: “This is a momentous moment for Mayfield and the people of Manchester – we are now a significant step closer to creating the city’s first new public park in over 100 years, which will be the locus of the new community that will be created in the heart of this great city.
“The park is for the people of Manchester and is without doubt the most important element in the whole neighbourhood, which is why we are delivering it first and we will be working closely with the community to help shape the plans for this urban oasis.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on how vital high quality, accessible green spaces are for our wellbeing, and Mayfield Park will offer a place of solace and inspiration in the centre of Manchester long into the future.”
Earlier this year, the UK Government pledged £23m of investment from its Getting Building Fund – one of the largest investments in any single project – to Mayfield Park as part of its strategy to support ‘shovel ready’ schemes that will help to drive economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis. Mayfield is the first scheme that has received investment to now start on site.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “I’m so pleased to see ground broken on the Mayfield Park development. If we needed a reminder of the importance of accessible green spaces and the benefits they can bring for our mental and physical wellbeing, this year certainly brought one.
“A new public park can give a real lift to this part of Manchester, creating important new community assets and jobs. As part of a much wider vision for the city centre, it can help to boost our economic recovery and transform urban space for the people who live, work, and do business here.”
Overall, Mayfield is set to transform a previously derelict part of Manchester’s industrial heritage to deliver 1,500 homes, and 14 acres of new public realm.
The Mayfield Partnership is a public-private venture comprised of regeneration specialist U+I, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and developer LCR.
A park charter, created by the Mayfield Partnership in consultation with the local community and industry experts and following extensive research, will be published in spring 2021. This will outline the Partnership’s ambition for the park and a set of promises to the people of Manchester.
The intention is for Mayfield Park to become an exemplar urban public green space that endures as a safe, stimulating and sustainable place for everyone in the city long into the future.
