The report of the Strategic Director (Growth & Development) is enclosed.

The Knott Mill area is located south west of the city centre close to the Castlefield neighbourhood, Whitworth Street West, First Street and the Great Jackson Street regeneration area. Knott Mill is adjacent to the River Medlock and is close to Deansgate Railway Station and Deansgate-Castlefield Metrolink Station. Knott Mill has a distinctive sense of place and unique characteristics due to the presence of key buildings of architectural, historical and cultural importance. The area’s important heritage buildings provide a very different look and feel to that of adjacent neighbourhoods. However, surface car parks, under-utilised buildings and gap sites diminish the local townscape as does the quality of public amenity space and public realm.

In June 2019 we had approved in principle a draft Knott Mill Masterplan and had

Requested that the Chief Executive undertake a public consultation exercise on the draft (Minute Exe/19/49). A report now submitted by the Strategic Director (Growth and Development) set out the outcome of that consultation.

Consultation letters had been sent to 2,225 local residents, landowners, businesses, local community groups and stakeholders. The masterplan had been made available on the Council’s website. A presentation was given to the Castlefield Forum, informing local residents and stakeholders about the proposals. The consultation opened on 18 July and, following a six-week period of consultation, closed on 29 August.

There had been 30 responses received: 20 via the Council’s website and 10 by email or letter. The breakdown of respondents was: 5 stakeholders; 19 residents; 3 businesses; 2 landowners; and 1 developer. The online respondents had been asked whether they agree or disagree with the Masterplan proposals. Of the 20 online responses 13 had agreed, 6 disagreed and 1 did not express a view.

The report examined the range of issues that had been raised by consultees, and set out a proposed response to each. To take account of the responses to the consultation, these changes to the draft were proposed and agreed.

·         An amendment to the boundary line to include the entire Deansgate Station site within the ‘Zone of Interest’.

·         Additional text to be included in the section on Density to reflect the potential for high density at the Deansgate Station site.

·         Additional text in section 4.10 to emphasize the opportunity for sustainable and active travel, including cycling.

·         Additional text in 4.10 on reducing reliance on car usage, and a reference to electric charging point and car clubs.

·         Additional text in relation to improving key interfaces (Old Deansgate, River Medlock and Hewitt Street arches) to be added into section 5 on Urban Design Principles. Reference will also be made to Deansgate Quay.

·         Additional text to be included in 5.3.3 on maximizing green infrastructure such as green roofs and tree planting.

·         Additional text to the section on active frontages to make reference to the opportunities along the site’s southern boundary.

·         The plan on page 46 will be amended to include the MSJ & AR viaduct.

·         Additional text on ‘Sustainable Drainage Opportunities’ is proposed to be added to the ‘Framework Development and Urban Design Principles’ section.

·         Additional text on water efficiency measures to be included.

·         Plan on page 63 to be amended to show the section of the viaduct between property Deansgate and Bugle Street as a ‘future redevelopment opportunity’.

Having considered the matters raised in the consultation, the responses to those as set out in the report, and the proposed changes to the draft Masterplan, it was agreed that the revised Masterplan be approved.

Decisions

1.         To note the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Masterplan for the Knott Mill area.

2.         To approve the Masterplan for Knott Mill and request that Planning and Highways Committee take the masterplan into account as a material consideration when considering planning applications for the site.