An ambitious blueprint for Droylsden has been unveiled as officials hope the 'dilapidated' town can ride the wave of East Manchester's regeneration.
Tameside council has identified several issues affecting the town, including disjointed neighbourhoods, underused spaces, subpar public realms, and a lack of distinct entry points. In response, the authority has drawn up the Droylsden Masterplan to tackle these challenges head-on.
Droylsden is the closest Tameside to Manchester geographically and the only one within the M60.
Given the existing infrastructure, such as the Metrolink, planners are optimistic about the potential for 'transformational change', envisioning Droylsden as a future magnet for both locals and visitors. At present, the area is in a state of disrepair, with landmark structures like the Concord Suite falling into decay.
There's even hope that Droylsden, a mere four miles from Manchester city centre, could benefit from East Manchester's successful regeneration – home to thriving hubs like the Etihad Campus and the new Co-Op Live Arena.
The masterplan includes enhancements to junctions and roads on the A662, which cuts through Droylsden, along with the introduction of active travel routes to encourage walking, cycling, and wheeling.
There are six key projects in the pipeline aimed at breathing new life into the town centre and enticing people to use it more sustainably, frequently, and for extended periods.
The centrepiece of these proposals is the Hollinwood Canal Park, which aims to restore a north-south link between the Marina and the retail heartland.
Plans are also featured to establish a new central park and active travel route along the former canal alignment next to Tesco and Droylsden Shopping Centre.
Under the masterplan, Droylsden Square would largely retain its function as a car park, as it currently does. However, it would be spruced up with green spaces and a new event area for hosting concerts, market days or the Christmas lights switch-on.
Villemomble Square is set for an overhaul due to its strategic location at the intersection of Manchester Road and Market Street, serving as the face of the town centre for both tram users and passing motorists. The masterplan envisions tree planters, street lighting and new seating areas to complement the bustling businesses located there.
While the vision for Greenside Mill is not directly under the council's control due to its private ownership, the masterplan seeks to support it as a crucial employment hub.
A fresh branding strategy has been proposed to promote the mill and elevate the visibility of its businesses. The goal is to broaden its appeal, transforming it into a must-visit destination for town visitors and potentially incorporating new workspaces.
The masterplan aims to establish an environmentally sustainable neighbourhood that boasts strong connectivity to the town centre. The local authority points out that the two 1960s estates situated east of Market Street are currently lacking in connections, with unsafe alleyways and back onto the town's main streets.
Alongside the new housing developments already planned in the town, the council is keen on redeveloping these estates. The plan encompasses the creation of energy-efficient housing and better-designed streets that encourage pedestrian traffic to and from the town centre.
The masterplan also aims to cultivate safer spaces and streets for all age groups to utilise and provide a communal garden space for growing food.
The final piece of the puzzle is the iconic Concord Suite, nestled in the heart of the town. The council recognises the pivotal role this site plays in shaping the town's image, given its visibility from the main road junction and the tram stop.
Currently, consultations are underway to determine the best approach to redeveloping the space. One option under consideration involves refurbishing the building and restoring it to use, while also enhancing the surrounding ground floor shopping parades.
The second option entails tearing down the adjacent shopping parade to make way for a new development while retaining the suite. The third option is to raze the building entirely and start anew.
In the short term the council has several projects in the pipeline introducing food trucks, staging weekend markets, and setting up pop-up shops.
The Droylsden masterplan says the project's overarching goal is to "create a thriving town centre with a renewed sense of place – one that restores purpose, empowers Droylsden's aspirational and entrepreneurial community, and builds on its strong residential offer to attract and retain people who want to live, work, and invest in the town."
The ambition is also to: "Create a town centre full of vitality, with multi-use spaces and opportunities that celebrate and reinforce local identity."
Next week, town hall bosses will meet to sign off on the masterplan.
