This Booklet Provides an Overview of the West Wythenshawe Local Plan

DRAFT

CONSULTATION SUMMARY

This booklet provides an overview of the West Wythenshawe Local Plan. It sets out the main social, economic and physical issues across the area and our priorities. It has been produced to allow residents, businesses and services to have their say on what is included in the final version.

A draft copy of the local plan has been developed after consulting with a steering group of key partners with an interest in West Wythenshawe including local Councillors, Manchester City Council, Parkway Green Housing Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Airport, private sector and health, education, employment and children & young people institutions.

Further consultation on the local plan will take place throughout West Wythenshawe for a 3 month period during spring & summer. The focus of this consultation will be local residents, businesses & services, and we will use a variety of different ways to get views and feedback on the plan from a diverse range of groups including public meetings, drop-in sessions as well as the widespread distribution of a shorter leaflet and questionnaire.

Feedback from the consultation will be fed back into the local plan, which will then be revised and made available towards the end of 2008.

Why we need a Local Plan for West Wythenshawe?

The West Wythenshawe local plan is being developed as part of the Wythenshawe Strategic Framework (SRF), which was completed in 2004. The SRF sets out priorities for improvements across the five Wards in Wythenshawe, including Baguley & Brooklands. While the SRF looks at issues affecting the whole district, the local plan tackles local issues.

The area covered by the local plan is the whole of the Baguley ward and areas within the Brooklands ward. Included are the neighbourhoods of Royal Oak, Bideford, Butcher/Shady Lane, Baguley, Newall Green and the Moor Rd & Brooklands estate. It is bounded by the M56 to the east, the Trafford boundary the West, Wythenshawe Park to the north and open countryside to the south.

The area faces a number of challenges in terms of employment, education, housing, health and transport, but has so many strengths & potential for the future- a great location, large employer base, major housing investment and range of green open space. We want to make sure that West Wythenshawe continues to be a place local residents feel proud of, want to live there and businesses want to invest in. The local plan will help address those challenges by guiding improvements to the area over the next 10-15 years.

Introduction to West Wythenshawe

West Wythenshawe was developed around the “Garden City” concept and it has grown as a key residential & commercial area with the introduction of new homes, Roundthorn Industrial Estate, Wythenshawe Hospital and Manchester Airport close by. It remains an important residential and commercial area today within an attractive green environment. It is home to 500 businesses and 5% of the city’s population (20,749 currently live in the area) with high numbers of young and elderly residents and an increasing number of residents from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The context for the West Wythenshawe Local Plan

West Wythenshawe has a number of key strengths for both households and businesses, but also has some challenges. We need to make sure the local plan makes the most of these strengths while also addressing the challenges.

The area’s key strengths are:

• Excellent location near M56/60 & Manchester Airport • Large employer base at Roundthorn, Hospital and Brookway Retail Park area with planned job growth (Airport too)

3 • Wythenshawe Hospital- a world class health & educational facility and local employer • Multi-million pound state of the art education facilities being delivered (High Schools- Newall Green, St Paul’s and Brookway) • Some outstanding education delivery (Newall Green High School) and the development of the Manchester Health Academy (Brookway High School) • New Sure Start Children’s Centres opened at Baguley Hall & Sandilands Primary Schools • £90m housing investment programme by Parkway Green Housing Trust • New build housing estates throughout the area offering residents wider choice • Mature tree lined areas & a range of green open space- parks, ancient woodland areas & countryside (i.e. Princess Spinney, Blackcarr Wood, Newall Green Farm) • Newly built neighbourhood shopping facilities- (Hall Lane & Newall Green (Greenbrow Rd)) • Committed voluntary & community sector and public services driving positive change in the area • Stable population

The area’s key challenges are:

• Lack of direct links to Motorway network from Roundthorn Industrial Estate • Conflicting road users- HGV’s, ambulances, cars, buses, pedestrians & cyclists • Poor public transport links in some areas • Lack of a modern business offer on Roundthorn Industrial Estate to attract inward investors • Attainment rates in schools are improving, but need to be greater • Pockets of worklessness & a low skills base and in some places, low aspirations of some residents • Long waiting lists for Parkway Green Housing Trust properties, which means some people wait a long time to move in to their own home • Revitalisation in housing needed in some areas to address quality & choice of stock i.e. Royal Oak estate • Limited housing choice for sections of the community e.g. elderly people, and a need for more opportunities for residents to access affordable home ownership • Perceptions that green open space is unsafe (Baguley & Alderman Rogers Park) • Outdated community facilities (Baguley, Royal Oak & Bideford Community Centres) • Lack of a high quality evening economy- restaurants & leisure offer • Fear of crime levels, anti-social behaviour and residential burglary • Pockets of poor health and high levels of long-term limiting illnesses

4 The vision for West Wythenshawe is to become a successful area with attractive & distinctive neighbourhoods where people enjoy the benefits of living close to the Hospital, Roundthorn & the Airport with good links to the City Centre.

To make sure that West Wythenshawe can flourish, we want to:

• Encourage new businesses to locate on Roundthorn, support existing employers and create more jobs for local people. • Ensure residents have the skills and can access jobs at the Hospital, Roundthorn & Airport. • Work with Parkway Green Housing Trust and others, to support the provision of a wider range of housing, as well as safe & attractive streets and public spaces. • Create a higher quality living environment, which includes good quality shops, leisure & community facilities and easily accessible public services. • Ensure young people have access to high quality education facilities to help improve attainment levels and encourage further learning. • Ensure the area has good transport links to employment areas, leisure facilities, green open space and the city centre, to enable people to easily access a wide range of opportunities.

What’s in the plan?

As mentioned previously, the Local Plan covers the neighbourhoods of Newall Green, Baguley, Royal Oak, Butcher/Shady Lane, Bideford and the Moor Rd/Brooklands estate, with key assets of Wythenshawe Hospital and Roundthorn Industrial Estate. In addition to the neighbourhood focus, the Local Plan will be broken down in to smaller mini plan areas including Roundthorn, Hospital and the Brookway Retail Park area.

(A short neighbourhood overview is to be inserted)

5 What does the Local Plan recommend?

The local plan is based around three citywide priorities of local people “achieving full potential in education and employment”, “creating popular neighbourhoods” and communities having “mutual respect”.

Reaching full potential in education and employment

We want to focus on improving education attainment, give young people and adults the skills to take advantage of local job opportunities and make sure residents can live a healthier lifestyle.

Local economy and business

West Wythenshawe has a fantastic opportunity to be a first choice location for businesses of all sizes due to its position close to Manchester Airport and the M56/60 motorway. There is already a large business base with key employers in a number of sectors employing local residents i.e. those on Roundthorn Industrial Estate and Wythenshawe Hospital.

However, Roundthorn Industrial Estate needs to be greatly improved so that it can become a first class business location, which will support existing & attract new businesses to create new jobs. As part of the local plan, a master plan will be prepared to guide investment.

In order to build on the international reputation of Wythenshawe Hospital for health, research & education, infrastructure improvements are needed and opportunities for West Wythenshawe must be maximised.

Business start-up rates are also low & there are opportunities for residents to become self-employed to meet business growth needs.

Priorities for the local plan

• Ensure residents throughout the area are able to access local jobs at the Hospital, Roundthorn, Airport and jobs throughout the city. • Improve the educational attainment of all young people by providing state of the art learning environments so they can access a wide range of learning & job opportunities. • Provide a first class business location at Roundthorn by developing high quality business accommodation, improved public realm, better accessibility to the Motorway/Airport & internally from Southmoor Rd and a strong brand identity. • Provide a high quality facility on Roundthorn that will offer retail, leisure & business support/workspace for employees and residents.

6 • Maximise opportunities to support business growth & sector diversification at Roundthorn & the Hospital through high quality accommodation, services and business support. • Support & integrate in the area, Wythenshawe Hospital’s plans to develop its health facilities & world class research status as well as a potential Bio-Science hub, while progressing opportunities for more residents to access jobs. • Support local entrepreneurs to become business start ups through appropriate advice & accommodation on Roundthorn.

Education

All schools are dedicated to improving outcomes for their pupils & families. There are five primary (Baguley Hall, Newall Green, Sandilands, Sacred Heart, St Peter’s) and three high schools (Brookway, Newall Green & St Paul’s) in the area and in some cases, are offering outstanding education & results. New Sure Start Children’s Centres have also been built at two primary schools (Baguley Hall & Sandilands).

All three high schools are being rebuilt to provide 21st century learning facilities. Brookway High School will also become the Manchester Health Academy in 2010 sponsored by the Central Manchester & Manchester Children’s NHS Trust. The high schools also offer a number of specialisms in Art, Maths, Science and Sports as well as post-16 opportunities.

To further improve outcomes for young people, a focus is needed on earlier intervention & prevention, family support and improvements in attainment rates, attendance, behaviour, staying on rates and addressing leakage to out of borough schools.

Priorities for the local plan

• Improve results at primary schools and high Schools so all young people can access a wide range of further learning & job opportunities. • Work with schools & families to raise aspirations and improve attendance & behaviour. • Promote all the positive developments in the education sector in Wythenshawe including new state of the art facilities at the High Schools, improved attainment rates & High School specialisms to raise aspirations and the number of young people attending local schools. • Ensure that young people benefit from High School Academy developments (two in Wythenshawe- Health and Business & Enterprise and others across the city) as well as other High School developments at Newall Green & St Paul’s. • Ensure that all young people can access high quality post-16 education & training in & around the area i.e. Newall Green High School, Northenden Campus, Brownley Green Centre. • Promote the use of schools as places where residents can access a wider range of services & advice i.e. learning, employment, health, childcare.

7 Skills and access to employment

Given the large business base in and around the area i.e. Roundthorn, Hospital & the Airport, the majority of people are in work. Jobs are growing and will require a range of skills. A priority is to ensure that more residents can access these opportunities. A wide range of learning & employment support is also available to residents throughout Wythenshawe.

To ensure more residents can take advantage of existing & new jobs, high levels of worklessness in some areas needs to be addressed with a particular focus on Incapacity Benefit & Income Support. Promoting a learning culture is also needed to ensure that local people can progress & the skills employers need, are in the area.

Priorities for the local plan

• Increase skills and support families into work by focusing on specific neighbourhoods and providing a wide range of services (Royal Oak, Butcher/Shady Lane, Bideford, Baguley & Newall Green). • Address issues of poor health & mental health so residents can access learning & job opportunities. • Make sure learning & employment services are joined up so residents know what support is easily available and help address any barriers e.g. childcare provision, public transport, financial. • Plan delivery of services in the area i.e. at Sure Start Children’s Centres at Baguley Hall & Sandilands, Primary & High Schools and the Royal Oak Community Centre. • Work with local businesses such as the Hospital, Airport & Roundthorn to better understand recruitment & skills needs to plan services and improve residents access to jobs.

Children, Young People and Families

Over one fifth of West Wythenshawe’s population is aged under fourteen years old and it is important that they are given the best possible start in life. There is already a range of family support services available as well as new Sure Start children’s centres at Baguley Hall & Sandilands and new state of the art high school facilities underway at Newall Green, St Paul’s & Brookway.

In going forward a whole family approach is needed and making sure services work together to tackle the problems affecting the family. These include children in need, teenage pregnancy, low aspirations, childcare, worklessness and the need for better quality youth facilities.

Priorities for the local plan

• Make sure families get the support needed from a wide range of services i.e. education, health to help address any issues in order to have a good quality of life.

8 • Make sure services are based in and are accessible at the Baguley Hall & Sandilands Sure Start children’s centres, Scout Drive Children’s Centre, GP Practices/Health Centres and primary & high schools throughout the area. • Provide access to youth activities/quality facilities throughout the area with a particular focus in Newall Green, Baguley & the Moor Rd/Brooklands estate (West Wythenshawe Youth Centre/Norbrook). • Support initiatives aimed at reducing teenage pregnancy rates by working closely with schools, families, Sure Start children’s centres and youth agencies/groups. • Support an increase in childcare provision at schools & the Sure Start children’s centres (especially breakfast/after-school/holiday club) to help parents access job opportunities. • Support families in to learning & employment by providing a range of support at the Royal Oak Community Centre, Sure Start children’s centres, and primary & high schools in the area.

Health

Over one fifth of residents suffer from a limiting long-term illness and mortality rates are much higher than the UK average. There are neighbourhoods where improved health is a priority and conditions relate to heart disease, asthma, depression, mental health, alcohol & smoking. There is also a link with worklessness. An ageing population is also placing a higher demand for health care services. Supporting residents to improve their health will allow them to enjoy a better quality of life.

Priorities for the local plan

• Work with families & agencies to improve health so residents can access a wide range of activities/opportunities, with a particular focus on Royal Oak & Baguley estates. • Ensure good quality health care facilities are available throughout the area, with specific aspirations of the Brooklands Medical Practice, & maximising links to the new Health Academy where appropriate (on the site of Brookway High School). • Support schemes & work with the South Manchester Healthy Living Network, Parkway Green & the voluntary/community sector to help residents live healthier lifestyles by improving diet, promoting exercise/use of all the open space, parks & countryside in the area, stop smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol intake. • Support & help residents on Incapacity Benefit to return to work by providing a range of learning, employment and healthy living advice with a particular focus on the Royal Oak, Butcher/Shady Lane Bideford & Baguley estates.

Creating neighbourhoods of choice

We want to provide neighbourhoods that have good quality housing, high quality & easy accessible public services, excellent transport links, and are

9 safe and attractive environments where people can take pride in where they live.

Housing

West Wythenshawe is a popular place to live and demand for housing is high. Owner occupied houses make up over 50% of the area and a large number of new homes have recently been built widening choice. The £90m Parkway Green Housing Trust investment programme is having a positive impact on the area.

Key housing challenges relate to limited housing choice overall i.e. for the young/elderly, which has resulted in under-occupancy of family homes & long waiting lists, some low quality, affordability issues, very limited cleared sites for new development as well as car parking issues.

In going forward, it is important that there is a high quality & aspirational housing offer that is affordable, to meet both existing & new resident’s needs. This is a priority for the whole area and with a particular focus on the Royal Oak estate- opportunities to take this forward with tenants are now being looked in to and a detailed consultation exercise with tenants will be planned at a latter stage in the current process.

Priorities for the local plan

• Continue to implement the £90m Parkway Green Housing Trust investment programme to improve housing quality throughout the area. • Deliver a high quality & aspirational housing offer that is affordable, throughout the area and fully consult with all tenants. • Address under-occupancy & long waiting lists by providing more housing choice to meet the needs of older people & younger people. • Address environmental challenges including car parking solutions on estates.

Environment and open space

West Wythenshawe is characterized by a mature landscape including tree- lined areas, parks, ancient woodlands, open space & countryside. Protecting the area’s Garden City roots & celebrating its heritage is a major part of the local plan.

Priorities for the local plan

• Improve walking & cycling routes between the area’s green open space, especially Tuffley Rd, Milky Button Park & Newall Green Nature Reserve, Amberley Drive, Alderman Rogers & Baguley Parks through to Wythenshawe Park (south of Altrincham Rd), for better access & useage. • Strengthen walking & cycling routes between the key employment sites e.g. Airport, Wythenshawe Town Centre, Hospital, Roundthorn and the

10 Brookway Retail Park, by extending the “Black Path” route from East in to West Wythenshawe so residents can easily access job opportunities & services. • To improve links in to East Wythenshawe (Benchill, Sharston & Woodhouse Park), need to address safety & environment issues at the subway (Blackcarr Rd/Greenwood Rd) and the motorway bridges at Shawbury Rd/Greatfield Rd & Hucklow Ave/Barrowfield Rd). • Improve the appearance of the area by developing high quality landmark buildings at areas such as Roundthorn, Hospital & High Schools, as well as gateway features at key entry points such as Altrincham Rd/Princess Parkway, Brooklands/Altrincham Rd roundabout, Roundthorn, Hollyhedge Rd & Tuffley Rd/M56. • Work with Parkway Green Housing Trust on environmental improvement schemes on estates throughout the area. • Support community activities and cultural events in open space areas, especially the parks. • Address anti-social behaviour issues at Baguley & Alderman Rogers parks to increase usage.

Local Centres

Successful neighbourhood centres that provide good quality shopping facilities and access to services are a focal point for residents. Centres such as Hall Lane and Newall Green (Greenbrow Road) have been rebuilt and there is interest in a wider offer at the Brookway Retail Park area. A master plan for the Brookway Retail Park area will also be produced as part of the local plan and will complement the master plan that has been produced for Wythenshawe Town Centre that guides investment in the retail, leisure and business offer over the next 10 years. The area also has outdated community facilities, but new developments at the three High Schools can provide wider service access points for residents.

Priorities for the local plan

• Work with retailers/owners of all neighbourhood centres in the area (Blackcarr Rd, Greenbrow Rd- North/South, Petersfield Drive, Royal Oak) to address the physical condition & levels of anti-social behaviour, while strengthening the retail/service offer at Hall Lane, Newall Green & Wendover Rd neighbourhood centres. • Develop a master plan for improving the Brookway Retail Park area (retail/traffic) and strengthen links with the wider offer at Wythenshawe Town Centre. • Develop a high quality evening economy in the area- restaurants & leisure facilities with a particular focus around the Brookway Retail Park area and key neighbourhood centres. • Given the new High School & Sure Start children’s centre developments in the area, ensure residents can access a wide range of services in them, while also addressing issues with outdated community facilities at Baguley, Royal Oak & Bideford Estate Community Centres.

Transport

West Wythenshawe is ideally positioned for economic growth due to its proximity to the M56/M60 network and Manchester Airport. However, given the current conflicts between HGV’s, ambulances, public transport, pedestrians & cyclists due to the number of residents, employees and visitors, transport improvements are needed. The planned Metrolink extension will also run through the area. Residents are also reliant on public transport due to low car ownership in some neighbourhoods and links between employment, leisure, community facilities and green spaces need to be improved.

Priorities for the local plan • Strengthen links to the Motorway/Airport from Roundthorn Industrial Estate to reduce HGV traffic flow through residential areas. • Improve access to, and in & around, Roundthorn Industrial Estate from Southmoor Rd. • Work with Wythenshawe Hospital & businesses in particular (& residents) on transport and travel planning to address congestion issues. • Improve public transport links in & around the area so residents can access a wide range of learning, employment (24 hour economy at the Hospital & Airport), & shopping facilities for example, and support the planned introduction of the Metrolink. • Improve footpaths, cycle routes (Black Path) & motorway subway/bridges to local facilities, places of work and green spaces as mentioned in the Environment & Open Spaces section. • Provide better car parking solutions on housing estates.

Crime and Community Safety

Perceptions of crime are higher than the reported level. It is very important that people feel safe in the area and a number of actions are already having good results such as visible Police Community Support Officers and Respect Action Weeks.

Agencies such as the Police, Council, Parkway Green Housing Trust and residents groups will continue to work closely to reduce key crimes and the fear of crime so people feel safe.

Priorities for the local plan

• Reduce opportunities for burglary at homes on existing & new estates as well as businesses on Roundthorn, and consider how crime can be designed out in new build developments. • Focus on key hotspot neighbourhoods and other areas such as shopping parades (Newall Green) and parks (Alderman Rogers & Baguley) to reduce crime & anti-social behaviour. • Address negative perceptions of crime and anti-social behaviour by publicising successes and continued visual Police presence.

12 • Provide access to youth activities/quality facilities throughout the area with a particular focus in Newall Green, Baguley & the Moor Rd/Brooklands estate (West Wythenshawe Youth Centre/Norbrook).

Individual and collective self esteem - mutual respect

We want people to have a sense of community and a feeling of ownership of their area, a sense of wellbeing, to feel safe and respecting & recognising people from different groups.

Older People

Over one-fifth of West Wythenshawe residents is over 60, which places higher demand for accessible health care services. Many older people do not work or own a car, which can restrict access to services and facilities. The Council has developed the Valuing Older People strategy to make sure older people get the services they need.

Priorities for the local plan

• Support the provision of accessible services including home care where needed to prevent isolation with a particular focus on the Carswood Rd estate & Cranleigh/New Forest Rd areas. • Ensure new facilities at High Schools & Sure Start children’s centres at Baguley Hall & Sandilands primary schools where appropriate, are used to provide accessible services where people live. • Encourage & support involvement in physical and cultural activities and the use of green open space to keep active & healthy. • Make sure people can travel around the area easily by public transport with a particular focus on the Newall Green & Baguley neighbourhoods. • Support older people to get the skills they need for jobs including volunteering. • Provide housing suitable for the needs of older people. • Given the high levels of young & elderly people in the area and for greater mutual respect, promote interaction between each group through links with schools, youth agencies & Parkway Green Housing Trust.

Community Cohesion

West Wythenshawe has high numbers of young & elderly residents and is also becoming more diverse with an increasing number of residents from black & minority ethnic backgrounds. There is a strong sense of community in the area and a range of ways in which residents can become involved in their neighbourhood i.e. through community groups, Tenant & Resident Associations.

13 Priorities for the Local Plan

• Make sure that residents from all backgrounds have access to the wide range of learning, employment, health, youth & recreational offers. • Work with residents through Tenant & Resident Associations, Community Groups, other voluntary sector networks, resident forums & school councils etc, to ensure input in to local service delivery and raising awareness of any particular neighbourhood issues.

Physical Master Plans: outlines of actual plans with images to be included

Roundthorn Industrial Estate

Roundthorn Industrial Estate is the business heart of West Wythenshawe. Investment will help it become a first class location to support & attract new businesses and jobs. An outline master plan to guide future development recommends:

• Development of high quality/landmark business accommodation to meet modern needs with a early focus on the estate’s “front door”- Southmoor Rd; • Attract inward investment from key growth sectors i.e. bio-science (work with Wythenshawe Hospital), creative & media & high-tech manufacturing, while supporting the existing business base for job growth. • Provide high quality accommodation for start-up/small businesses. • Greater transport links from the estate to the Motorway network/Airport; • Improving access & safety from Southmoor Rd and in & around the estate; • Improve the public realm & develop a strong brand identity; • Provide a high quality facility that will offer retail, leisure and business workspace/support for employees/residents; • Better understanding of the recruitment & skills needs of employers to support more local people in to jobs.

Brookway & Altrincham Road retail/Academy area

In addition to Wythenshawe Town Centre, this area given its key location, will continue to provide a range of retail & service offers for residents. The Local Plan encourages:

• Development of new retail offers where appropriate; • Develop an evening economy offer i.e. restaurants & leisure facilities; • Development of the Manchester Health Academy (Brookway High School) to provide state of the art learning facilities and a wider range of services i.e. learning, employment, health etc (hub) for residents. • Improve access to the centre by car, public transport, walking and cycling. • Improve the environment around the centre.

Wythenshawe Hospital

(Plan tbc)

Newall Green, Baguley and Brooklands neighbourhoods

These neighbourhoods have already & will continue to benefit from many improvements suggested in the Local Plan:

• New state of the art learning facilities at Newall Green & St Paul’s High Schools, which can also provide wider service access points for residents. • New Sure Start Children’s Centres at Sandilands & Baguley Hall Primary Schools providing a range of family support services & childcare. • Major housing investment programme of Parkway Green Housing Trust; • Improved public transport routes & better access between green open space; • Continued close working with residents and services to tackle crime, health, employment challenges.

How will the plan be delivered?

The plan has been developed after consulting with a steering group of key partners with an interest in West Wythenshawe including local Councillors, Manchester City Council, Parkway Green Housing Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Airport, private sector and health, education, employment and children & young people institutions. These partners will continue to guide the local plan and monitor progress as we work towards the main priorities, which will be influenced by you and your responses to this consultation.

Once we have completed the public consultation we will redraft the West Wythenshawe local plan to take account of your views. You will be able to get copies towards the end of 2008 from

Wythenshawe Regeneration Team Alderman Downward House Wythenshawe Town Centre Wythenshawe Manchester M22 5RF

Phone: 0161 499 7778 Fax: 0161 490 8017

Website: www.manchester.gov.uk or www.wythit.com

15 You can tell us more about what you think by filling out the questionnaire attached to leaflets currently being distributed around West Wythenshawe or by completing the questionnaire at www…….

Also look out for public meetings and drop in sessions around the area where you will have the chance to ask questions to members of the team.

Also included – information on translations