Northern Quarter - city centre redevelopment

The council’s plans to transform the city centre are progressing well after getting a major boost from the government.

The decision gives the green light to the Northern Quarter development, which will create new open spaces and shopping streets on the former Tricorn site, along with huge new John Lewis and M&S stores.

Hazel Blears, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has decided to confirm the compulsory purchase order (CPO) sought by the council to enable the scheme to go ahead.

The CPO will enable the council to buy up properties on the site of the development, where negotiations with owners have failed to result in agreed sales.

Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Leader of the council, said: "This is wonderful news. It's another major step towards the redevelopment of the city centre. I'm very pleased that the minister has supported the council's view, which will see the creation of about 2,000 extra jobs and a significant upgrade to shopping in the city centre."

The Northern Quarter scheme, by developer Centros Miller, will be complemented by other improvements to the city centre, carried out by the council.

Buses will be re-routed and a new performance space created alongside a new site for the city market. Bold new designs will make the main Commercial Road shopping area more attractive.

A redeveloped road system will also simplify routes for traffic coming into the city. 

For more details see the link to the right.