Alternative to demolition proposed

Save Britain's Heritage, a national pressure group, has joined forces with local residents in east Manchester and unveiled proposals to revitalise hundreds of terraced homes threatened with demolition under a Pathfinder redevelopment scheme.

These proposals, drawn up by Mark Hines Architects, have illustrated ways that property in Toxteth Street, Openshaw, could be refurbished and the traditional street system retained.

The plans have been launched in advance of a public inquiry into a compulsory purchase order required to allow a city council-backed housing redevelopment scheme to go ahead involving the demolition of more than 400 terraced houses.

Save's William Palin said: "With good, imaginative design, these houses can be easily adapted to offer the variety of housing which the Pathfinder agencies say is required for the area."

However Eddie Smith, chief executive of New East Manchester, said: "Our plans for the regeneration of the Toxteth Street area of Openshaw have been drawn up after extensive consultation with local residents.

"They are intended to transform an area with a long-standing history of poor quality housing, a poor environment and problems with crime, into a sustainable family-focussed area where people will choose to live."

The redevelopment of Toxteth Street is one of a number of major initiatives under way in East Manchester to restructure the housing market in the area, backed by funding through the Manchester Salford Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder.

A spokesperson for Communities and Local Government said: "Nationally the Pathfinders programme has delivered four times as many refurbishments as demolitions, providing vital regeneration in neglected areas.

"Although some demolition can still be necessary to allow progress to be made in transforming some severely neglected areas, the level is kept under review as market conditions change, and all proposals are subject to detailed consultation with local residents."

Read the Save Britain's Heritage web page on their proposals.

Roger Milne

28 August 2008