In July 2018, the Council Leadership (the Executive) endorsed an updated Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) to help guide the regeneration of the First Street area of the City Centre. The Executive requested that there was a public consultation exercise with local stakeholders, on the document and this consultation would be reported to the Executive.

As Ward Councillors for Deansgate, which includes the entire First Street area, we responded to the SRF. Our response focused on:

• The SRF document, consultation process and what it had focused on. We think it should have looked at the whole area and been easier for residents to read
• We think that the SRF focused too much on meeting market demand and could have been more prescriptive
• On design principles, we wanted to maintain the colourful, interesting architecture at First Street and thought that the SRF was an opportunity to promote green architecture and roofing, as well as commenting on the appropriateness of different heights in different locations. We also think on-street car parking is inappropriate for this area.
• In terms of public realm, we made the case for more green space, specifically arguing for a park in a particular location.
• We argued for as many active frontages (frontages that are alive, such as a café or restaurant, rather than blank walls) as possible, because of the benefits for life, placemaking and security.
• In terms of access, we wanted to see good pedestrian linkages, a reflection on the Beelines proposals and building on improved connections to Hulme.
• For residential development, we argued that housing should reflect the kind of people who want to live in the area, including tenure, size, amenity and price.
• Finally, we wanted to see timeframes for when the opening up of arches, which the SRF references, on Whitworth St West will happen.

You can read the SRF document itself by clicking here, and see our response below.