Welcome to the TALKChorlton website

UPDATE:
We would like to thank all of the residents and businesses in and around Chorlton, who shared their views with us on the future of Chorlton District Centre. Taking on board what you have told us, we have now completed the Chorlton District Centre Action Plan. You can view the Executive Summary of the plan, and the Committee Report, at www.manchester.gov.uk/meetings - select the Economy, Employment & Skills Committee meeting for 21st July. The full Action Plan will be available to view on the Council’s website shortly.

Designed to help you have your say on the future of Chorlton district centre.

We need your help:

From the 28th September 2009 for three months, TALKChorlton invited local residents, traders and businesses to help shape the future of Chorlton district centre. The consultation is now closed, however you can still find out what the consultation was about below and by using the links to the left.

The results will now be analysed and then used to inform the development of a district centre plan early in 2010. The consultation report and responses received to this initial stage in the production of the future plan for Chorlton district centre will be published on the TALKChorlton website. We will of course notify people who have made representations when this document is available.

The opportunity:

There is an opportunity to build on Chorlton district centre’s strengths and its potential to perform even better in the future. The arrival of Metrolink in 2011 will bring opportunities because it will make it easier for people to shop in Chorlton. We can make the most of the centre’s potential by developing a vision that will be shared by residents, shoppers, traders, businesses, public service providers and those who visit, study and work in the district centre. We can plan now for the future so that we are well placed to react as private and public funding becomes more available as the economy recovers from recession

Chorlton district centre today:
Chorlton is the only major district centre in the western area of the city, located around the junction of Barlow Moor Road and Wilbraham Road. A popular neighbourhood it has grown to serve the needs of 100,000 people across south Manchester. It offers good quality housing, conservation areas, excellent access to open spaces and good transport links. Furthermore, Chorlton district centre has a good independent retail offer

However, there is evidence that its performance is slipping relative to other district centres. It is losing money that Chorlton residents are spending in supermarkets and shops in other areas. Also, parts of the district centre are not in keeping with the character of earlier buildings.

Understanding the evidence:
The evidence underpinning our key principles for Chorlton district centre comes from the South Manchester Strategic Regeneration Framework, which was consulted on widely before it was approved, and the most recent Independent Retail Study commissioned in January 2009. These documents highlight a number of strengths and important challenges facing Chorlton district centre. More detailed information about the key principles can be found by using the online links to the exhibition boards, newsletter and consultation booklet.

The key principles:
Based on the evidence gathered, on our analysis of the strengths of Chorlton and our awareness of the challenges for the future, we can suggest some key principles on which to base a plan for the district centre.

We would like to make sure you agree with the key principles before going any further. We will use them as the foundations of a plan for the district centre. We will also test the plan when it is ready to make sure that any recommendations are realistic, are financially viable and can be delivered.

Key principles:

Encourage the promotion of a sustainable place
Further develop independent retail
Offer a new food store to encourage more people to shop locally
Develop non-food retail
Improve access, public transport and parking
Maximise benefits from Metrolink extension
Improve public services
Upgrade the public realm
Provide housing that is sympathetic to the local area

More detailed information about the key principles can be found by using the online links to the exhibition boards, newsletter and consultation booklet.

If you have any comments or queries about the process, please contact:

Jane Archer - South Manchester Regeneration Team at Daisy Mill Complex, Level 2, Entrance 2, 345 Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, M13 0LF, or telephone 0161 277 1880, or email talk@talkchorlton.co.uk.

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