Clayton Esplanade Strategic Masterplan Framework
Group Members • Josephine Bruford - 11164055
Shi Chun Rui - 11167407
Ravi Kumar Ananya - 11039937
Georgia Missen - 10276054
Word Count: 3976
Contents
1
2
3
Introduction to Site
Strategic Context
Locals/Area Context
•
• • • •
Regional Scale Context City Scale Context Strategy Landmark Socio-Economic Info
• • • • • •
Connectivity History & Heritage Public Realm and GI Environmental Conditions Development Charactor Areas
4
5
6
Policy Context
People and Place
Master Plan Program
•
Clayton Esplanade
Site Overview
Policy Overview
• • • • • • •
Legibility of the Site Serial Vision Emviromental Condition Key view & Edge Conditions Character in Site Scale Frontages, Servicing & Access Night-Time Environment
• • • •
Oppotunities & Constraint Vision Objectives Actions
Introduction to Site 01 Site Overview Clayton, Manchester Retail Cluster
City Centre
Northern Powerhouse
Retail Cluster
Clayton Hall Tram Stop Clayton Hall Tram Stop
Site
Warehouses
Manchester
Warehouses
Newcastle (3hr)
Liverpool (1hr)
Leed (1hr)
One of the fastest-growing cities in the UK(Office for National Statistics, 2016).
Hull (2hr)
The city centre will benefit from an additional 40,000 people choosing to live in the city centre and 65,000 new jobs by 2040 (Manchester City Council, 2019)
Manchester City AcademyManchester Stadium City Academy Stadium
Sheffield (1hr)
Site Infomation: From National Scale to Site Scale
London (4hr)
The site located in Clayton, a district of Manchester, benefits from its strategic location within the Greater Manchester area. With significant regeneration and major investments in infrastructure, housing, and employment opportunities, it is an attractive location for businesses, residents, and visitors. As part of the Northern Powerhouse initiative, there is a focus on enhancing connectivity and economic growth across the North of England, which further underscores Clayton’s strategic importance.
Site Scale Feature The site is a 22-hectare brownfield area located in Clayton which is the heart of Manchester, has a rich history in both football and industry. The area is known for its 1950s terraced houses feature and the former Clayton chemestry industry.
Strategic Context 02 Regional Scale Context Sub-Regional Scale: Strategic Tranportation Link Clayton, a Manchester suburb, has a prime location near the city centre and major economic hubs like Salford Quays and Trafford Park. Recreational facilities like Heaton Park, Old Trafford, Etihad Stadium, and Castlefield are also within easy reach. With excellent transportation links to Manchester Piccadilly and the airport, Clayton offers a great balance of work and leisure opportunities. A new masterplan could unlock the area’s potential and create a sustainable community for future generations. The Etihad Stadium in Clayton, UK is the home of Manchester City Football Club and can host up to 53,400 people for events such as concerts (Etihad Stadium Website)
Well-Connecting Transportation netwrok Bus users make up 22% of commuters (Carlton Reid, 2019) The Metrolink tram service carries 25% of daily commuters (Carlton Reid, 2019) 38% of journeys into and out of Manchester are made by train(Carlton Reid, 2019) Train
Metrolink tram
Bus
Car
From 2005 to 2020, the number of terminal passenger arrivals and departures at Manchester Airport (UK) increased from 17.2 million to 28.6 million (Statista, 2023)
Strategic Context 02 City Scale Context
Strategic Context
02 Strategy Landmark
Strategic Context
02 Socio-Economic Info
Local/Area Context
Local/Area Context
03 Connectivity
03 Sustainable Connectivity
Route Hierarchy
Sustainable Route Network
Sustainable Routes
Route Hierarchy Analysis
Ashton canal provides a high quality cycle route from Ashton-under-Lyne to Manchester city centre, linking the site to a 10km traffic-free route and a 40-minute cycle time. The route has traffic signals specifically for cyclists and 6km of LED solar-powered lighting along the canal tow-path which improves the safety of the route after dark.
Ashton New Road is adjacent to the site and is one of the main arterial routes into the city, there is an on road Metrolink line which makes it a key transit route between from Droylsdon (5-minute drive, 28 min walk, 6 min tram) Ashton Old Road is at the south of site and is a key arterial route connecting Ashton-Under-Lyne to the city centre by the inner city ring road and Motorway.
Pedestrian links into the city centre are restricted to separated routes via canal tow-paths, the routes surrounding the site are transit orientated with mixed modal traffic and narrow pedestrian paths which don’t prioritise pedestrian connectivity. This is however, supplemented by the strong metrolink and bus network which connects the site to the city centre and areas to the North of Manchester.
Alan Turing Way is part of the immediate ring road connecting Broughton and Chorlton passes between Philips Park and Sportcity, crossing Ashton Canal.
Public Transport There are two metrolink stops within a 15 minute walk of the main entrance to the site (Clayton Hall and Velopark) which connects the site to the City Centre.
Ashton Canal Cycleway
Route 60 National Cycle Network
Metrolink Service to Manchester Piccadilly every 12
minutes from Clayton Hall Tram stop.
Bus service to Piccadilly Gardens every 10 minutes via 216, 230 and 231 from Clayton Hall bus stop.
Merril Street
Multi-modal tram, traffic, pedestrian and cycle route
Ashburys Station is the nearest to the site only a 5 min jour-
Motorway
ney from Manchester Piccadilly every 15 minutes. The site is in close proximity to Manchester Piccadilly which is the busiest of the 5 stations in Manchester which is at the western end of the Eastlands Regeneration Framework area. Manchester Piccadilly is the principal railway hub and Metrolink interchange, connecting the site to major UK cities
LIVERPOOL
LONDON
BIRMINGHAM
3hrs
1.45hrs 50mins 60mins 50mins
Euston
Lime street
SHEFFIELD
LEEDS
Arterial Road
Main Road
Local Road
Trainline
Node
Metrolink
Motorway Arterial Road
Bike lane
On Road Bike lane
Minor Major Trainline Pedestrian Pedestrian Route Route
Node
Metrolink Bus Stops
Bus Stops
Ashton New Road
Surrounding Route Quality Clayton Lane (Low Quality)
Ashton New Road (High Quality)
Croft Street (Low Quality)
Alan Turing Way (High Quality)
Ashton Old Road (High Quality)
On-Road cycle route and hostile Pedestrian link
Key Takeways
• The site is strategically located adjacent to Ashton New Road which multi-modal movement corridor from prominent, regionally significant districts of Ashton Under-Lyne and Droylsdon. • Vehicle access is restricted to 3 key entry points from Ashton New Road which is a key arterial route into the city. • Sustainable transport modes follow the waterfront route along Ashton Canal creating linear movement along the north of the site which is a key connection to the city centre, Despite this, access into the site from this routes is difficult due to a lack of permeability caused by the canal as barrier.
Local/Area Context
03 History and Heritage Heritage Landmark
Clayton Urban Timeline The site is defined by the River Medlock Canal boundary on the southern side and the Ashton New Road connecting to the main Alan Turing Way. The major landmark adjacent to the site is the Clayton Hall, That has a history dating back to the 12th century. Over the years, the development around the canal is prominent in its settlement pattern. The heritage time line illustrates the heritage buildings in the region and the urban fabric over time. The heritage buildings around the site have different architectural characteristics from Victorian, Gothic, and Byzantine Styles of Architecture. Surrounded by different styles of churches the heritage around the overall region is very prominent and significant to the history of development in the area. The industrialisation had caused an increase in work force which required major housing needs and reflects in the overall plan of the area.
Settlement Pattern Pattern & Development Settlement
Local/Area Context
Local/Area Context
03 GI and Public Realm Green and blue infrastructure is naturally integrated in and around the site location with the Medlock Valley to the north of the site an important green corridor in East Manchester. Clayton Park and Hall and Philips Park are key green spaces for the site and provide local amenity value.
03 Environmental Development Conditions Green Infrastructure and Public Realm Network
Natural Features
The Ashton and Rochdale Canal both provide tow-paths for pedestrian and cycle connectivity which links the city centre to Ashton-under-Lyne and to the wider North West region.
Ashton Canal and the site of Clayton Hall are sites of biological importance (SBI) which is a non-statutory designation to protect locally valued sites of biological diversity and Local Wildlife Sites.
The quality public realm is restricted in the area surrounding the site due to the private nature of many of the facilities in Sportcity and the outer-city nature of the site which makes the key routes transit orientated creating a poor quality public realm with multi-lane roads and arterial routes into the city centre which create a negative pedestrian experience.
Noise levels from Ashton New Road are 55-59.9dB are so are not considered as harmful and are considered safe by the standards of Environmental Protection Agency. Under the Greater Manchester Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) the site has been highlighted as for tree planting opportunity.
There is undeveloped green space and unmaintained low quality GI which lines the River Medlock and intersects with Ashton Canal providing a key area for future upgrade to improve connectivity from the North-East area of the Medlock valley into the city centre though active travel modes and upgraded public realm.
CLAYTON VALE Key green space in the Medlock River Valley Local Nature Reserve • Children’s play area • Visitors centre • Pond • Conservation area with dipping platform • Angling.
CLAYTON HALL PARK 3 hectares green space within 5 minute walk of the site • Children’s play area • Multi use games area • Bowling green • Pavilion • Living Museum’
Prevailing Wind direction from the South West could contribute to poor quality environment along the canal waterfront.
Existing poor Quality GI on the site in the form of derelict land and linear buffer zones along Ashton new road.
Sunset in the evening could enhance the key views towards heritage buildings
The edge of the site along Ashton New road is bounded by mature trees and undefined shrubbery creating a buffer zone between the road and the site.
MAYFIELD PARK New city centre public park development which connects the eastern fringe of the residential area and Piccadilly. • 6.5-acre parkland around the River Medlock • Kids’ play zone with 6 slides PHILLIPS PARK 3.2km east-north-east of Manchester city centre and is 12.5 hectares • It is separated from Philips Park Cemetery by the River Irwell in the north • Children’s play area • Multi use sports area • Bowling green • Mountain Bike Track
The site is a former brownfield site which has a number of low quality commercial buildings and previously developed land which has been cleared for housing renewal.
Blue infrastructure in the form of Ashton Canal is a defining feature to the southern edge of the site. The tow-path provides a good quality space for pedestrian and cycle movement into the city centre.
Ashton Canal
BRADFORD PARK The park is a 5 minute walk from the Etihad Stadium bus stop via the 216, 230 and 231. • Children’s play area • Multi use games area • Basketball court • Skate park • Tennis court
OPENSHAW PARK • Local community public park 5 hectares • Crown green bowling pavilion and greens • Children’s play area • 2 multi-play ball zones • 2 flood-lit tennis courts
Primary Network
Green Network
Major Green Space
Minor Green Space
Public Space
Blue Link
Green Corridor
Site
Aerial view of Existing Site Conditions
Key Routes
Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs)
Site of Biological Importance (SBI)
Sun path
Prevailling wind direction
Tree Planting opportunity
Existing GI
Road noise 55- 59.9 dB Existing Trees
Local/Area Context
Local/Area Context
03 Development
03 Development
Land Use & Urban Morphology
River Park Business Centre
Etihad Stadium Manchester City Training Ground
Thos Storey Fabrications Greggs Manchester Bakery Bridge College Manchester College
Sports City
Heritage
Site
Buildings
Institutional
Industrial
Commercial
Future Development
Large Grain Mixed Use
Medium Grain Mixed Use
Poorly Defined Spaces
Fine Grain
The future development projects are targeting in revitalising the residential character of the region and the creating more mixed used development around the region specifically connecting Ashton New Road. The North and Southern end of the site is dominated by Industries that have influenced the residential settlement pattern over time. Clayton’s major connectivity from the city to the site is defined by the Etihad Stadium as it acts as a major landmark and engaging location in the region.
1800’s
Farm lands
Site
1900’s
Industrialisation
The site is not defined majority by a fine grain of residential settlement with poorly defined spaces in the northern front of the site. The mixed used settlement around the region is influenced by the industrial settlement and present day Sports City. The larger footprint of mixed grain is within the sports city frame and the lower grain is defined by rectangular medium grain grind pattern of mixed use which is defined by industries and institutional zones.
2000’s
Increase in Residential Settlement
Present
Urban Renewal - Etihad Stadium
Development of Residential, Hotel and Student Proposals
Local/Area Context
03 Character Area
Industrial/Mixed-Use Zone - Character is inconsistent with large
swathes of derelict land and parking. Industrial services are abundant, and except two terrace rows on-site, there is no residential presence.
Clayton Hall - Teeming with greenspace, this area houses the key
neighbourhood landmark (St Cross) and heritage asset; Grade II* Listed (and Scheduled Ancient Monument) 15th-century manor house: Clayton Hall. Small, connected outdoor spaces and concientious pedestrian routes make this compact area a unique character in its own right.
Sport City - hub of sports and leisure activities, most famously Manchester
N
City FC. This is a major link to the city centre (via tram and major roads), and regularly draws 50,000+ crowds on Match Days. There is good-quality public realm and GI, with a range of retail and hospitality services on campus. Tram Stop
Site
MCFC Academy Facilities are <25m in height thus are hidden from view of Site
Clayton Residential - Near-exclusive residential area, consisting of
terraces and semi-detached red-brick housing. These are predominantly 1930-45s, of a good quality (especially frontages), with ornamentation.
Ashton Canal Area - Currently inactive,
Inactive + derelict buildings
this feature offers great potential for activity, improved pedestrian routes, and unique character.
Clayton Hall
major pedestrian & cycling green infrastructure area, linked to the city centre via the Medlock Valley and canal pedestrian network. Permeated by the River Medlock, and mixed wetlands and woodlands, with several designated sites of scientific interest.
Openshaw - Redbrick, 2-storey terraces, majority of houses are pre-1940s. Private greenspace is scarce, ornamentation is limited, and front and back gardens or setbacks are smaller/absent. There are large public spaces dotted across this neighbourhood.
Retail-Service Zone - Semi-commercial
Greenspace is ornamental and restricted by fencing/private land ownership
Rochdale Canal Lock 92 - an example of high-quality canal zone in Manchester
houses are poor-quality 1970-80s redbrick terrace network, with increased presence of derelict spaces, and poor-quality public realm and GI. The area is also trapped by transportation infrastructure; major roads to the North and East, and railway lines to the West
Clayton Vale - A local Nature Reserve, and City Square at Etihad Stadium - huge outdoor capacity and public space
area, full of schools, public parks, “everyday” retail (convenience stores, bakeries, gyms etc), and a large leisure centre. Additionally houses several wholesale/warehousing facilities - thus servicing for lorries is key High-quality housing fronting along Ashton New Road
semi-detached homes, with large volumes of (private) greenspace, creating a pleasant, and quiet ambiance, despite its proximity to Ashton Old Road (key arterial route). Additionally, there are higher-density units fronted along this key route, with mixed-use active frontage at the street level, and apartment/ flats to increase both residential concentration and play with building scale.
North Beswick & Bradford - More deprived than [8] South Beswick,
Church of St Cross
Tram Stop
South Beswick - Winding network of modern (post-2010s) terraces and
WW1 Memorial
Summary
Mostly Residential - there are three key residential areas, with four dis-
tinct character areas. While there are shared traits; red-brick, Victorian-style, 2-storey terraced housing, narrow front and back gardens, the execution of this template varies significantly, as does the resulting character of each area. However, there is limited residential presence on-Site, and careful consideration of edge conditions is necessary to protect and/or enhance surrounding character areas
Football Culture - a legacy of Manchester United and current Manchester City campus, and academy training grounds border our Site. This represents great potential; as a hub of activity for weekly Premier-League matches, and to promote further community outreach and development (for example through the Manchester City in the Community Charity).
Strong Green Infrastructure Presence - there is a huge range of GI
available on and around our Site, and the wider area, with great potential for linking these individual areas into a wider pedestrianised, green network - linking with existing high-quality spaces or transport corridors (for example: Ashton New Road as a zone of improvement, and Clayton Vale as a key green connection)
Policy Context
04 Policy Overview National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2021
Regional Policy Context
The NPPF is government planning policy and material consideration that promotes:
Greater Manchester Strategy 2021-2031 (GMS) The GMS strives to provide access to safe, decent and affordable transport with a clear focus on carbon neutrality and create greener homes and communities; and better jobs and skills for the people.
1. A greener Greater Manchester: Responding to the Climate Emergency Environmental Economic Social Progress 2. A fairer Greater Manchester: Addressing Inequalities and improtection well-being proving well-being for all with an overarching presumption in favour of sustainable devel- 3. A prosperous Greater Manchester: Driving Local and UK growth
opment (paragraph 11).
Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 National Design Guide
The 2040 Transport Strategy is based on the guidance from current Local Transport Plans and European best practices for developing SusGood design in practice is portrayed in the National Design Guide, which tainable Urban Mobility Plans identifies the characteristics of well-designed spaces that will influence the future proposals of the site. The the vision of the strategy is to provide “World class connections that support long-term, sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity for all”. • Supporting sustainable economic growth • Protecting the environment • Improving Quality of life for all • Developing an innovative city region
Manchester’s Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy 2015-2025 Relating to the site the strategy seeks to enhance river valleys and canal tow paths creating green links to connect areas of Manchester with the city centre. Four objectives have been established to enable the vision to be achieved:
Improve the quality and function of existing green and blue Infrastructure, to maximise the benefits it delivers.
Improve and promote a wider understanding and awareness of the benefits that green and blue infrastructure provides to residents, the economy and the local environment.
Use appropriate green and blue infrastructure as a key component of new developments to help create successful neighbourhoods and support the city’s growth.
Improve connectivity and accessibility to green and blue infrastructure within the city and beyond.
Local Planning Policy Manchester Core Strategy 2012-2027 Policy EC5 East Manchester: During the Plan period, east Manchester is expected to provide 8085 acres of employment land, primarily within the Regional Centre, with Eastlands, a major leisure visitor destination with ancillary retail and offices, and within the City Centre Fringe, which will provide employment opportunities in the City Centre, support a mixed use of employment uses, and integrate East Manchester neighbourhoods. Policy EC7 Eastlands Strategic Employment Location: Eastlands Strategic Employment Location will accommodate 40-45 ha. of new development and is suitable for a major sports and leisure visitor destination with complementary commercial, retail and hotels.
Policy JP-H 3
Policy JP-G 1
Policy JP-G 2
Affordability of New Housing
Type, Size and Design of New Housing
Valuing Important Landscapes
Green Infrastructure Networks
Policy JP-G 3 River Valleys and Waterways
Manchester City Council approved a revised version of the Eastlands Regeneration Framework in 2019. With a broader geographical area than successive regeneration frameworks, the ERF presents the opportunity to re-shape and deepen the commercial and residential prospects further eastwards beyond the Etihad Stadium.
Policy H4 East Manchester: The East Manchester Core Strategy anticipates around 30% new residential development, with priority being given to family housing and other high-quality developments.
• Demand for new commercial floorspace reflecting the potential to widen and deepen the business and employment base in the area.
Policy EN12: Area priorities for Open Space, Sport and Recreation: East Manchester is outlined as one of the priority areas for sport and recreation, with proposals to upgrade existing facilities and provide new spaces in accessible locations actively supported by the council.
• The growth of employment in the area and throughout the city is also driving the creation of higher value homes for sale and rent, driving up the value of residential land in the area. It is imperative that a strategy for affordable housing be developed to enable residents with low incomes to participate in the ongoing redevelopment of the area.
Policy H2 Strategic Housing Location: New residential development is proposed in the east and north of Manchester City Centre identified as a strategic location for new housing, including Clayton. Land assembly will be supported in this area to encourage the creation of large development sites or clusters of sites providing the potential for significant regeneration benefits.
• Ambition to develop the Etihad Campus as a place for globally competitive sport, leisure and recreation. The site is proposed for residential development as part of the framework for residential development as one of the four Housing Affordability Zones in the City. By increasing housing choice, affordability, and quality, the ERF aims to expand Clayton’s neighbourhood.
Manchester Housing Strategy 2022–2032 The strategy seeks to ensure that more than 80% of all homes built by 2032 are on brownfield sites close to public transport.
Policy JP-H 2
Eastlands Regeneration Framework Strategy (2019)
Policy JP-P 7 Sport and Recreation
Key Takeways
Long term vision to provide homes with four key principles:
• The site is located in a key location for housing and commercial led regeneration due to it’s strategic location.
1. Increase affordable housing supply and build more new homes for all residents.
• There is the opportunity for to deliver major upgrades to GI and BI networks which are key attributes of the site and surrounding area to improve sustainable connectivity into the city centre.
2. Work to end homelessness and ensure housing is affordable and accessible to all. 3. Address inequalities and create neighbourhoods where people want to live. 4. Address the sustainability and zero-carbon challenges in new and existing housing.
• Opportunity to deliver major upgrades to the existing built environment whilst collectively creating socio-economic benefits to the local community, and the wider city region. • There is a clear preference for a mixed use, primarily residential development that creates an international destination for business, leisure and tourism.
People and Place
05 Legibility of the Site
People and Place
05 Serial Vision
The site is defined by poor GI and derelict spaces. The periphery is defined by high quality architectural residential buildings fronting Ashton New Road. The serial vision follows the periphery of the site and the main access to the canal via the Clayton Lane which divides the site into two distinct character zones.
The site is bound between the arterial route of Ashton New Road, the metrolink line and Ashton Canal making creating a linear shape site.
1
To the west of the site is Sportcity which is the largest concentration of sporting venues in Europe creating an internationally important and globally recognised venues adjacent to the site.
Tram line
This space has good quality residential buildings which define the enclosure of the site. The highlighted tramlines connects the city to the site and the main vehicular access way.
Tram Station
The Railway lines from Piccadilly station and North Manchester create major edges which shape and define the districts in East Manchester. Both Rochdale and Ashton Canal can be considered as edges which define the landscape and are landmarks for the area but also restrict permeability. From legibility analysis it can be determined that key landmark and active zones are found close to the city centre and along Major routes in/out of the city, determined by heritage and character. `
The approach to the site from the city centre is through the tram stop adjacent to the St. Cross Church (major landmark).
2
The east side retains the residential character and a block with prominent GI to the west.
5
The site leads to the Bridge Inn adjacent to the canal that defines the southern edge of the site. There is passage way that leads down to the canal with good GI to the west .
3
6
4
Clayton lane divides the site with a cluster of industrial blocks on each side with a lack of GI.
The buildings fronting the canal are industrial with a few distinct blocks, the red brick blocks with a green wall is a key feature.
7
The canal walkway under the bridge are not properly light and could be potential spaces for crime.
People and Place
People and Place
05 Key Views and Edge Conditions
05 Character in Site Scale
Key Views and Local Landmarks Church of St Cross
the commanding 35m MiddlePointed Victorian Church is the dominating visual feature across the Site
Bridge Inn
scale, with large depot, warehousing and parking areas materials and colour palettes are highly mixed. Frontage along canal is limited and completely inactive
the only area of the canal which is somewhat active - with a beer garden overlooking the locks and bridge
Materials - Corrugated Metal, Plaster, Red Brick
remnants of tiling pre-industrial use
attractive pieces of local heritage, and also offer potential for future bridge locations (and thus access)
Edge Conditions Industrial-Canal Zone
elevation from Site side, and extensive vegetation on the Southern bank creates an intimate enclosed ambience along existing route
urban void created between the retail frontage and tram route
Ashton New Road - Northern Edge
the most active portion of the site (Zone A) is currently restricted by the tramline - which is not integrated into the pedestrian or vehicular routes around/through the Site
Site Bo
undar
y
Derelict - once homes,
private outdoor (garden) spaces are small and are rarely green along this route activities on New Allen Street are highly condensed, which, combined with and a lack of set-back, leaves little excess width for modifying Ashton New Road (without cutting into the Site)
Site Dimensions
no frontage or canal access
elevation on canal’s Northern bank could enable multi-level activity along canal frontages
Canal Lock located along key access route (Clayton Lane), this brightlycoloured pub is a useful local landmark
Ashton New Road Western Edge
Industrial - buildings are large in mass and
Strawberry Duck
this area is now completely abandoned. Fly tipping, littering, and illegal parking are common. Additionally, Travellers occupy the Eastern portion of this area
Retail - cluster of restaurants, pubs,
and car maintenance businesses fronting along Ashton New Road. However, poor quality pavements and heavy road traffic reduces the appeal of this zone, and the tram reduces legibility through its utilisation of a tram-only corridor through the Site
Residential - both on-site (and fronting along Ashton New Road), the
housing is high-quality and are authentic (pre-1900s) Victorian terraces.
poor quality “high-street”
decorative friezes
Grove Inn, Ashton New Rd large South-Facing windows with attractive white stone cill & heads
Green Infrastructure - while these spaces have room for improvement, they are acceptable quality, and offer good screening from Ashton New Road, although tree placement can partially obstruct key views of the Church, and permeability (and thus effectiveness) is inconsistent
broken glass
small front garden
attractive wrought iron fencing
route from tram stop
Ashton New Road - limited permeability
Servicing done via front (Ashton New Road)
high-quality brick arch ornamentation
stoop
People and Place
People and Place
05 Frontages, Servicing & Access Site Access and Servicing
05 Night-Time Environment Frontages
Negative Environmental Factors high retail + residential contentration (and thus activity) along Ashton New Road - proactive interventions to combat crime & anti-social behaviour needed
Clayton experiences an average level of crime, however it is disproportionately violent, with high levels of public disruption-related crimes
31% Violent Crime
17% Anti-Social Behaviour
14% Public Order
proportion of specific crime frequency of average annual crimes (2017-2022)
The derelict zones on-Site are especially prone to negative behaviour or crime, which can be attributed to its poor visbility due to overgrowth, and distance from major pedestrian routes / eyes on the street
Littering & Fly-Tipping
River lights to prevent accidental falls into the canal - do not produce significant light to properly “light” the towpath: rendering it ineffective except to the bravest (or privacy-seeking) Tram-only route cutting across Croft St
Modified canal lock allowing access to the Towpath
Inactive frontages and hostile architecture deter any wanderers from Ashton Rd
Colourful shops along Ashton Rd, although public realm is minimal
poor-quality pavements
Manchester City matches regularly provides high-traffic (pedestrian/ public transport & vehicular), often late at night (22:00 or later). Clayton has had numerous complaints about illegal parking, as well as noise and disruptive behaviour.
(illegal?) car parking
MasterPlan Program
06 Opportunities
Church of St Cross
High Quality Canal Zone - Best Practice Case Study:
Castlefield, Manchester
Manchester City Campus & Sport City
MasterPlan Program Urban Design Program
06 CONSTRAINTS 06 Constraints
Poor-Quality Industrial Land Crabtree Lane
Negative Behaviour
Littering, abandoned cars, poor frontage over derelict space etc...
Poor frontages, legibility, poor-quality pavement and abundant fencing/walling creates a hostile pedestrian environment
MasterPlan Program
06 Vision 02 Strategic Context
In keeping with the founding principles of its Sport City neighbour, Clayton Esplanade will serve as a new gateway for active living and sustainable lifestyles. The adjacent Ashton Canal boasts heritage and natural assets to be realised for a unique and ambitious waterfront development creating a distinct and characterful place. As the sport city region continues to grow, the site will be endorsed for its new high quality public realm, its integration with wider green and blue networks, and its innovative mixed use design.
MasterPlan Program
06 Objectives
Les Berges de Seine, Paris, France
1 Capitalise on the canal-side location and activate an otherwise under-utilised asset through a new waterfront development.
2
Strengthen movement and legibility through upgrades to the existing public realm in order to improve sustainable connectivity to the city centre and other key destinations.
3
4
The project sought to transform the underutilized spaces along the river into vibrant public spaces.
The Goods Line, Sydney, Australia
Maximise the potential of existing green infrastructure within the site to improve the landscape character and recreational value whilst integrating it within the wider green network.
Orestad is a mixed-use development, featureing a playground, seating areas, and greenery, and provides a tranquil space for relaxation and recreation.
The Portland Green Street project, Portland: The project was developed to manage drainage from streets and sidewalks and enhanced public space, and increased ecological and social resilience.
Successfully integrate the existing community to the north and south creating a gateway between sports city and Eastwards beyond the site.
6 Develop a seamless transition between the high-activity sports city and the low-rise residential area through mixed-use blocks.
This is a new pedestrian and bike path connects multiple neighborhoods and includes public art, seating, and greenery.
Orestad, Copenhagen Capitalise on the high footfall and activity produced by Sports city in a pursuit to create a new hub of for sustainable enterprise and leisure.
5
Riedberg, Frankfurt The project is mainly for making a modern, high-density urban district that is designed to be sustainable and family-friendly.
Wynyard quarter Auckland, New Zealand The area has since been redeveloped as a mixed-use neighborhood that integrates residential, commercial, and public spaces.
Bo01 Malmö, Sweden
7 Promoting a sustainable lifestyle extending beyond the spectrum of the sports city.
The project was initiated in the late 1990s with the goal of creating a sustainable urban community that would serve as a model for other cities around the world.
MasterPlan Program
06 Actions 02 Strategic Context
02 Strategic Context
Ashton
New Ro
ad
Focus on building a mixed used settlement that ties in with different characters at the edge conditions of the site.
Enhancing the public realm along Clayton Lane by creating a boulevard linking ashton new road and the canal
Create an active waterfront development with high quality pedestrian route along the canal.
Create a strong heritage network through the site to the surrounding areas to reinvigorate local pride.
Upgrading the existing GI on Ashton New road to increase permeability into the site and the movement along the edges.
Using design interventions such as lighting and orientation of building to increase natural surveillance and tackle safety concerns around the site. Provide amenities within the site, and create a sense of community with active frontage to overcome the barrier of Ashton New Road.
Develop the site to be a car-free zone to support the ideals of healthy living promoted by healthy living.
Enhance legibility by tackling the poor frontages and the physical barriers such as the tram line.
Clayton Esplanade