A landmark regeneration project set to bring huge changes to Manchester and Salford has taken a step closer to approval.
The two cities have created a joint masterplan to revamp the areas around Strangeways and the Cambridge industrial estate in Broughton, with 7,000 homes planned across seven new neighbourhoods.
The blueprint – known as the Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) – won the backing of Salford council's cabinet during a meeting at Salford Civic Centre on Tuesday.
It will be discussed by Manchester council's executive team on Wednesday and is expected to gain further support.
In Salford, the plan is to create a new 60-acre public park, dubbed a 'regional destination' in Greater Manchester.
The proposed park could be known as 'Copper Park' in a nod to the area's industrial past, but a council officer said this could be changed before the plans are finalised.
However, the park is expected to cause some upheaval. A report on the plan states the change would result in the need for some residents and businesses to relocate from the area.
It continued: 'Fundamental to the positive management of this process is engagement with the affected parties and understanding their requirements that will need to be accommodated.'
The aim of the park is also to offset flooding issues which have hit the area in previous years, creating open green space and planting to minimise future damage.
To the east of the proposed park, a neighbourhood is planned around Overbridge Road next to Bury New Road, which has been earmarked for up to 2,000 new homes as well as shops and businesses.
The regeneration report stated: 'There are a number of key development locations fronting onto the park that could be animated by cafes and bars with generous floor to ceiling heights.
'The park edge has the potential to be designed as a wide promenade, creating space for these ground floor uses to spill-out onto, as well as space for temporary uses.
'The landscape design can facilitate vibrant commercial activities and public life, which would meld with the wild, biodiverse planting along the park and wetland edges.
'Integrated within this would be places to dwell, play, and eat, set within nature.'
Salford council's cabinet agreed to approve the scheme at Tuesday's meeting.
Coun Philip Cusack said it was 'critically important' to support the SRF, which will become a 'material consideration' to help decide future planning applications in the city.
He added: "It's massively important to recognise that what we're doing here is taking a very long-term planning view to help residents and businesses in the face of what we know is coming in terms of climate change and in the face of what we know is going to happen to water levels in the River Irwell."
Next steps for Salford council include 'continued engagement' with residents and businesses in the city about the plan.
In Manchester, the plans are focused around the Strangeways area, which is set for a major revamp.
Manchester council said it will use the SRF to 'make the case to the Ministry of Justice for the relocation of HMP Manchester' from the area.
A report added: 'The draft framework document was shared with ministers and civil servants, and it was highlighted that the site provides a unique regeneration opportunity within the prison estate.'
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett previously said approving the plans would mark a 'significant step forward' for transforming the areas.
He added: "Informed by detailed flood modelling, the framework sets out a proactive strategy that embraces nature-based solutions and resilient design to ensure the Cambridge area can adapt to the impacts of climate change over the coming decades.
"The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area, including the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, alongside appropriate levels of mixed-use development to continue to drive sustainable growth.
"With strong community roots and a rich cultural heritage, this area is brimming with potential and together we can deliver transformational change creating new homes, jobs, and green spaces that reflect the aspirations of our residents and support a greener, fairer future."
Bev Craig, leader of Manchester council, previously said: "The formal adoption of this framework is a milestone that we will remember for Strangeways as we move from vision to delivery and the beginning of a long-term regeneration programme for this part of our city.
"We know this is an area that has faced challenges, and we have worked closely with partners – including GMP through Operation Vulcan – to create lasting change and opportunity for these neighbourhoods.
"This is about supporting businesses, creating jobs through growth, and building the homes our residents need in neighbourhoods that they are proud of.
"Already we are seeing extensive development activity in this area, including significant new social rent and shared ownership housing on site now.
"But this is only the beginning of an incredibly exciting decade and more for Strangeways."
