27 May 2009
£3.6million for development in east Manchester
The NWDA has awarded urban regeneration company New East
Manchester (NEM) £3.6million to acquire and remediate the Crossley
Works site.
The Crossley Works site, on Pottery Lane in Openshaw, is a 3.3ha
(8.2 acres) site. Support from the NWDA will enable New East
Manchester and Manchester City Council to deliver a high quality,
landmark development on the site, which will complement adjoining
sites, including The Manchester College and SportCity.
The investment will secure the site under public ownership and
pay for demolition, decontamination and preparation of the site.
Remediation will make the site ready for future redevelopment,
which will be for employment or commercial uses which tie in with
wider plans for the area.
Mark Hughes, Executive Director, Economic Development, said:
“Purchase of Crossley Works will ensure that future development of
this site can be undertaken in a positive manner that complements
the wider vision established for the regeneration of East
Manchester.
“The objective of the project is to secure control and ownership of
a strategically located site and to ensure a new development is
created there that will promote and contribute to the employment
aspirations of east Manchester.”
Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester said; "It's
great that, with the help of the NWDA, we've been able to acquire
this strategically important piece of land. We are in discussions
with The Manchester College with a view to extending education
facilities onto Pottery Lane, which will be subject to
funding.
“Purchase of the site is also consistent with our objectives to
promote development on the inner ring road - incorporating Hulme
Hall Lane through to Alan Turing Way through to Pottery Lane - as
an Arc of Employment. We will now work towards remediating
the land ready for its new use."
One of the key drivers for economic development within east
Manchester will be the establishment of two corridors of employment
activity. One is the Alan Turing Way Arc of Employment and the
second is an Arc of Employment along Great Ancoats Street. These
two corridors will be the focus of future employment development
and investment strategies.
The Crossley Works site lies at the heart of the Alan Turing Way
Arc of Employment.
Editors Notes
Various chemicals, acids and fuels have been used and stored on
the site meaning it is likely contamination exists in various parts
of the site, giving rise to abnormal costs which impact upon the
viability of future redevelopment. The full costs of remediation
are included within this grant award.
-ends-
For further information please contact Sam Shale, Press Officer
on 01925 400264 or 07717 427872 or sam.shale@nwda.co.uk
For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925
400259.
For further information and to view all press releases visit us
at www.nwda.co.uk/press
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the
economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is
responsible for:
• Supporting business growth and encouraging
investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and
communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life