New images show how dilapidated former Central Retail Park will be transformed into green oasis

More images of how the former Central Retail Park will look after a huge redevelopment have been released.

The site, which was a retail park until it closed in 2019, has now sat dormant for years and is in a state of disrepair. After years of legal battles over the future of the 10.5 acre-plot, Manchester City Council confirmed that its vision for the park will include a swathe of green space, alongside offices.

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The government is said to be interested in taking on one of those offices, which the M.E.N. understands effectively means that the skateboarding community, which has built its own DIY-park, will have to move out. The new parkland will have trees, patches of grass, and benches, the images suggest.

More CGIs of the how former Central Retail Park in Manchester will look post-development (Manchester City Council)

“The former Central Retail Park is a key site and one of the final pieces of the puzzle in the long-term regeneration story of New Islington, which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in the city,” Council leader Bev Craig said on announcing the blueprints for the site in December.

There will also be a revitalised canalside (Manchester City Council)

She continued: “For decades the site has created a physical barrier between Great Ancoats Street and the growing community around New Islington Marina. Developing this site will create a new public link through to the existing Cotton Field Park behind and create a green space at the heart of the low-carbon commercial district.

There are elements of paving in the plans (Manchester City Council)

“We have a real opportunity to create a flagship, highly sustainable development of renown – and we would encourage people to take part in the consultation. A six-week consultation will begin in early January and we invite feedback around the proposals for the site.”

These new images are taken from a document detailing the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) that is being consulted on at present. They were not available publicly when the SRF was approved for consultation by the council’s executive in December.

You can view the images, read the full document, and have your say on the plans online.

A CGI of how the park, which will sit next to offices, could look (Manchester City Council)

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