Strangeways prison could be surrounded by 7,000 new homes - but there's a catch

Strangeways is poised for a significant transformation with plans for thousands of new homes. Manchester and Salford councils have jointly unveiled a development masterplan for the area,

proposing the construction of 7,000 homes 'across seven distinct neighbourhoods', alongside health facilities and a park. The authorities are optimistic that the regeneration could

generate an additional 4,500 jobs for the cities. The 'Strangeways and Cambridge strategic regeneration framework' comes in the wake of Operation Vulcan by GMP, which tackled the

area known as 'Counterfeit Street'. The plan encompasses Salford's Cambridge Industrial Estate in Broughton, and Bury New Road, Cheetham Hill Road, and Cheetham Park in

Manchester. Manchester council leader Bev Craig said: "We have an opportunity to create a platform for development and investment, enabled by the successful work carried out by the

Operation Vulcan partnership, to support businesses to grow and prosper in these neighbourhoods - creating thousands of new jobs and support the ongoing growth of our city –- alongside a

major new public park and new homes, including council, social and genuinely affordable housing/" However, she noted that HMP Manchester, located at the core of Strangeways, represents

a 'key barrier to regeneration'. She added: "We know this area has challenges, including the prison that presents a key barrier to the regeneration of the area, but we also

know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential. "We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there,

and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive." Previously, Coun Craig had

urged the then-Conservative government to consider relocating the prison, criticising the Grade II-listed Victorian building as unsuitable for the significant remodelling or expansion

required to meet modern prison standards. At that time, the Ministry of Justice stated it had no plans to relocate the facility. Another hurdle for developers is the flood risk prevalent on

the Salford side of the River Irwell. The strategy proposes to mitigate this risk through sustainable urban drainage systems. Salford Mayor Paul Dennett said the key to successful

development 'will be to balance these needs with what the long-term flood data is telling us and how we future-proof the area against climate change'. The blueprint is set for

discussion by Salford council's cabinet on March 11 and by Manchester's executive on March 14. DON'T MISS THE LATEST NEWS AND ANALYSIS WITH OUR REGULAR NORTH WEST NEWSLETTERS

– SIGN UP HERE FOR FREE