Manchester will get its first lido in decades if plans to transform a ‘derelict’ corner with just 100 residents into a ‘green new town’ are approved.
Top councillors are set to approve proposals to start redevelopment work of Holt Town next week (January 22). Currently, the 30-hectare area sandwiched between Ancoats, New Islington, the Etihad Campus, and Beswick is made up of light industrial buildings, a small amount of terraced housing, and a tram stop.
Council bosses believe Metrolink’s presence and Holt Town’s location only two miles from the city centre, means it can be redeveloped into a ‘new town’ for 4,500 homes, a fifth of which will be affordable.
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Plans also make space for 1,500 jobs, a new ‘cultural hub’ to become Hope Mill theatre’s new home, and 15 acres of green space — including ‘confluence park’, to be built around the River Medlock.
New details have emerged ahead of the executive meeting where the plans will be signed off, including plans for a lido.
If the lido is constructed, it would be the first time since the 1980s Manchester would have an outdoor swimming pool after The Galleon in East Didsbury and Alexandra Park’s lido closed.
An area called ‘resilient meadow’ -Credit:Manchester City Council
“Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester,” said council leader Bev Craig.
“We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options.
“This neighbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.
How the canal will look running through Holt Town -Credit:Manchester council
“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”
Holt Town will be geared towards public transport and away from car usage, councillors say, with a one-kilometre-long ‘play street spine’ running from St Annes School in Beswick to Park View Community School in Miles Platting.
Car parking will be centralised in a building called ‘Mobility Mill’, with some homes in high-rise blocks, and others being townhouses.