Member Article

Vision for Mayfield reveiled

A poem written by Mancunian poet Argh Kid has been commissioned by property regeneration specialist U+I to capture the essence of Manchester and the company’s vision for the city’s Mayfield development site.

The poem, entitled Manchester’s Sprawling, is narrated as the soundtrack to a short film which was played at the international MIPIM property conference in Cannes yesterday (Wednesday 15 March) for the first time.

The film and poem celebrate the city’s innovation, inclusivity and assertiveness, as well as presenting a vision for U+I’s approach to the regeneration of the landmark Mayfield site next to Piccadilly Station.

The poem is narrated over footage from the Mayfield site and images from the city’s past and present, with the film ending with the sound of birdsong.

Argh Kid, real name David Scott, is a performance poet who grew up in Longsight and Levenshulme and now lives in Hyde with his wife and children.

He said: “Manchester’s Sprawling is really about the Manchester melting pot and how that vibrant mix of culture and ideas has created the city we love, with some references to our lovely weather thrown in for good measure. It’s about what I would call the Mancunian Way – bold, rebellious, with a sense of humour.”

Richard Upton, Deputy Chief Executive of U+I, said: “Manchester’s Sprawling is part celebration of the city and part acknowledgement of our responsibility as the development partner for the Mayfield Partnership.

“We are starting to understand that Manchester will rightly demand that we deliver something distinctive, respectful of the past but inspirational in terms of the possibility of the future.”

U+I was appointed as development partner by the Mayfield Partnership, which comprises Manchester City Council, LCR and Transport for Greater Manchester, in late 2016. The company has extensive experience of working in partnership with public sector organisations to create thriving mixed-use regeneration schemes.

The Partnership’s masterplan for the 26-acre industrial site close to Piccadilly Station envisages the creation of a vibrant, inclusive and eclectic mixed use development comprising 1,300 homes, 75,000 sq m of office space, a 350-bedroom hotel, retail and leisure facilities and a new city park around the River Medlock – which runs through the site - creating over 7,500 office, retail, leisure and construction jobs.

The long-term proposals will seek to enhance many of the site’s historic features and include developing and improving the river. The Mayfield Development Partnership intends to maintain the historic buildings that still stand and make the most of the area’s built heritage.

The rebirth of Mayfield will reshape and extend the city towards Manchester Piccadilly; building on the benefits of the Northern Hub, Network Rail’s programme of targeted upgrades to improve rail connectivity in the north of England; and act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the east of the city centre.

In February 2017 the Partnership submitted a planning application to Manchester City Council for temporary office and events space on part of the disused Mayfield station site.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Allat .