The ‘long awaited’ vision for a canal park connecting a transformed Droylsden town centre to it’s marina has taken another step towards reality.

The canal park, new public realms and a transformed shopping centre are all touted for the town just four miles from Manchester city centre. Town hall bosses in Tameside unanimously approved the Droylsden masterplan yesterday – which seeks to rectify the issues holding the town back.

Droylsden is the only Tameside town on the inside of the M60, meaning it is the closest to Manchester geographically.

According to the masterplan, the area is run down, with iconic buildings such as the Concord Suite in a dilapidated state. With key infrastructure such as Metrolink already operational, there is belief among planners that it can undergo ‘transformational change’ and become a go-to spot for locals and punters from further afield.

Council leader Eleanor Wills likened their plan for Droylsden Square to what Hebden Bridge, an idyllic town in the Pennines, is doing. At the latest meeting of the executive cabinet on May 13, Coun Wills said this scheme would ‘futureproof’ the town.

Coun Teresa Smith, executive member for children and families, who is a Droylsden resident added: “I have lived in Droylsden for 40 years now. People who grow up there stay in Droylsden and we are quite a close community and we want a town centre to be proud of. 

“I feel heartened to be seeing these plans taking place to deliver for the people of Droylsden.”

Junction and road improvements to the A662, which bisects Droylsden, as well as the installation of active travel routes to promote walking, cycling and wheeling are just one aspect of the plan.

Some £163,000 of government funding has recently been approved, which would look into the A662 works as well as smaller makeovers of the town squares.

Here is a more in depth look at each aspect of the Droylsden masterplan…

The canal park

The crown jewel amongst these plans would be the Hollinwood Canal Park. This would re-establish a north-south connection between the Marina and the retail core. 

Next to where Tesco and Droylsden Shopping Centre currently sit, a new centre park and active travel route would be created along the old alignment of the canal. This will provide access between local amenities and create a people focused, safe route, the council says.

Vision for Droylsden in Tameside Council\'s masterplan. Credit: Tameside Council

The town squares

Droylsden Square would still mainly be used as a car park – like it is now – under the masterplan. But it would undergo titivation with greenery and see a new event space installed to be used for concerts, market days or the Christmas lights switch on.

Villemomble Square would see a huge aesthetic makeover, as it holds a key position on the crossroads of Manchester Road and Market Street and is the face of the town centre, whether punters arrive by tram or passing by car.

Tree planters, street lighting and new seating areas to complement the thriving businesses situated there are all envisioned in the masterplan.

Greenside Mill

The vision for Greenside Mill is not really in the control of the council, due it being privately owned, but the masterplan seeks to support it as an important employment centre. The council believes some private sector  investment is required to restore the building and protect it against further decay.

A new branding strategy to market the mill and to raise the profile of the businesses has also been suggested. The idea is that it could then reach a wider audience, which could make it more of a destination for visitors to the town and potentially include new work spaces.

CGI of how Droylsden Square could look. Credit: Tameside Council

Reimagining neighbourhoods

An ambition of the masterplan is to create an environmentally sustainable neighbourhood that is well connected to the town centre. According to the local authority, the two 1960s estates to the east of Market Street lack connections, have unsafe alleyways and back onto the main streets in the town. 

In addition to the new housing developments coming into the town already, the council wants to redevelop these estates. The plan includes creating energy efficient housing and better designed streets that encourage people to walk to and from the town centre.

The masterplan also seeks to develop safer spaces and streets for the young and old to use and provide a communal garden space for growing food.

Concord Suite

The last piece of the puzzle would be the iconic building in the heart of the town, the Concord Suite. The council believes this site plays a key role in the image of the town as it is visible from the main road junction and from the tram stop. 

Currently there is consultation underway about how to best redevelop the space. The first option would see the building refurbished and bring it back into use whilst also improving the surrounding ground floor shopping parades. 

The second option would retain the Concord Suite but demolish the surrounding shopping parade to make way for a new modern development. The third option is to bulldoze the building completely to make way for a rebuild.

Credit: LDRS