Compulsory purchase orders will be issued to local businesses in Openshaw,
Dransfield Properties is working with New East Manchester, an alliance of English Partnerships, Manchester council and the North West Development Agency, to create a 250,000 sq ft mixed-use development anchored by an 80,000 sq ft Morrisons store.
Consultation on the CPO will begin in January, with work due to start on site, which is already two-thirds owned by the developer, next year.
The scheme will include 10 retail units from 1,765 sq ft to 22,500 sq ft, 57,000 sq ft of offices, a 22,000 sq ft leisure unit and 670 car parking spaces.
The new district centre is intended to serve the area’s increasing population, expected to double over the next 10 years as over 15,000 homes are built.
Andrew Malley, retail property director at Dransfield Properties, said: “The compulsory notices will allow us to complete the land assembly process and get on site as soon as possible. The support of Manchester council issuing the notices sends out a clear signal that the benefits of creating a new district centre for Openshaw will be substantial.”
Tom Russell, chief executive of New East Manchester, added: “Openshaw is already seeing major investment in new health and leisure facilities and major new housing renewal programmes are already underway. The new district centre for Openshaw will underpin the significant levels of investment which have already been made in the area, and the compulsory purchase powers will guarantee the delivery of this important scheme.”
