Manchester to get first lido in decades with plans for ‘new town’

Manchester: Exciting news! The city is about to get its first lido in years. Plans are in motion to turn a neglected area into a vibrant new town.

Holt Town, which is currently home to just 100 residents, is set for a major makeover. The area is surrounded by Ancoats, New Islington, and the Etihad Campus. It’s mostly industrial right now, but that’s about to change.

City leaders are optimistic. They believe the location, just two miles from the city center and near a tram stop, makes it perfect for 4,500 new homes. A good chunk of those will be affordable, which is great news for many.

But that’s not all! The plans also include creating 1,500 jobs and a cultural hub, which will be the new home for Hope Mill Theatre. Plus, there will be 15 acres of green space, including a park by the River Medlock.

And guess what? If everything goes well, we’ll finally have an outdoor swimming pool again! The last one closed in the 1980s, so this is a big deal.

Bev Craig, the council leader, is really excited about the potential of Holt Town. She sees it as a chance to create a unique woodland town that focuses on people and green spaces.

They’re aiming for a neighborhood that encourages walking and cycling, with a special ‘play street’ for kids. Plus, they’re planning to centralize parking to keep the area friendly for pedestrians.

It’s all about making Holt Town a community that connects people with local services and each other. Sounds like a fantastic plan, right?