Resident Faces Potential Home Demolition Amid Collyhurst Redevelopment

Gaynor Hutton, whose residence for 32 years faces potential demolition as part of a housing estate redevelopment, stated, “They’ll have to drag me out of here before I give this home up.” The 53-year-old, an amputee with both legs, expressed her determination to remain in her Collyhurst bungalow, which has been specially adapted to her needs. Manchester City Council commented, stating: “If a property does need to be demolished, the residents will be offered a new home in Collyhurst to suit their needs.” The initial stage of the redevelopment project has commenced in Collyhurst, an area situated under two miles north-east of Manchester city centre. Confirmation of plans for the second phase is anticipated in the new year. This prospect has led some residents to express concern over what they perceive as the “unnecessary” demolition of their residences. Gaynor voiced her apprehension, stating she was worried “we’ll never get a house like this again.” She clarified that she acquired her three-bedroom bungalow two decades ago via the government’s right-to-buy scheme. She added: “We’ve invested so much in this home and brought three kids up here,” continuing, “It’s got a ‘wet room’ and we got a new kitchen last year. “The new houses won’t accommodate my needs.” Initial proposals for hundreds of new residences in Collyhurst, which were to be financed by a £252m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme, were abandoned in 2010. Despite this, multiple blocks of maisonettes were demolished, resulting in land that has remained derelict for over ten years. In October 2022, Manchester City Council (MCC) formed a partnership with the developer Far East Consortium Limited. Construction is currently in progress for 244 homes in Collyhurst Village, alongside 30 council homes designated for social rent in South Collyhurst. Sharon Leech, a 62-year-old employee at Kylie’s Kitchen, a cafe located off Whitley Road, commented: “Collyhurst has always been a strong community but that’s why people are struggling with the change. “It upsets some people, but what they’re doing here is fantastic. I think it’s going to be a really buzzing, vibrant place.” MCC is presently completing the plans for a subsequent phase of the project. The local authority anticipates this phase will yield up to 2,500 new homes, in addition to establishing new public areas and building a tram stop. Gavin White, MCC’s executive member for housing and development, stated: “We want to be clear that no-one will be asked to move out of their area and we will work with residents on these plans.” The revitalization of Collyhurst forms a component of the £4 billion Victoria North project, which aims to provide up to 15,000 new homes within the coming 15 years.