'It's destroying our community, memories, and the life we've made... what's happening is diabolical'

Residents in a Manchester suburb on the brink of change are demanding 'no demolitions' as they face uncertainty over their future.

Formed in the summer, the 'No Demolitions Collyhurst' campaign group is pushing back against potential demolitions in the area. It comes as they await further details on the £4bn Victoria North development, which spans from Manchester city centre to Collyhurst.

The scheme, which is divided into seven neighbourhoods, including Collyhurst Village and South Collyhurst, will see 15,000 new homes built in this corner of the city, starting at Angel Meadows in the south and extending up to Queens Road. In Collyhurst, 274 homes are being built with up to 2,500 in the pipeline - but some residents in the neighbourhood are waiting to find out what it means for them.

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While many of the new homes planned will be social housing, some will be replacing existing properties on the council estate that is currently on the site. Manchester council says that residents whose homes may be demolished will be offered a new home in the area.

But campaigners fear they will be 'displaced'. And some residents say they have been left 'in limbo' as the council decides what to do.

Earlier this week, members of the 'No Demolition Collyhurst' campaign and the Greater Manchester Tenants' Union handed in a petition calling for 'an end to demolitions' at the town hall. According to the council, 114 people have signed the petition in total.

Speaking outside the town hall on Tuesday (December 10), Gaynor Sutton, who has lived in Collyhurst Village all her life and now owns her 1980s property, explained why she opposes demolitions. "They're well built homes," she said. "I moved into the very first one."

Fellow Collyhurst resident Anne Worthington said that waiting to find out if your home will be knocked down is 'soul-destroying'. "I lived under that doom and gloom for six years," she said. "We've been told ours are safe for the foreseeable future. We'll see about that.

"But at the moment, we're fighting for the people of Collyhurst Village to support them to get the truth from the council because it's diabolical the way they're being treated."

Liza Davies, another lifelong resident, added: “Seeing so many houses targeted for demolition seems like a slap in the face. Losing your home means destroying your community, memories, and the life you've made in the area. It's genuinely soul-destroying.”

While fellow resident Trudi Nolan said: “The psychological impact of living in limbo for so long has been immense. Why would I invest in a home that could be taken away from me at any moment? It feels like my home is just a piece of stock waiting to be squashed.

“The demolitions need to be stopped, and refurbishment done instead.”

Responding to the residents' concerns, Manchester council's executive member for housing and development, Coun Gavin White, said: "We understand that changes in a local area can be concerning, but we want to reassure all residents in Collyhurst that we have made a commitment to working closely with them around the regeneration proposals and investment for their area.

"Currently we are going through a masterplanning process with our joint venture partners FEC, and no definitive decisions have yet been made about the future of the neighbourhood. This will be a long-term plan for the Collyhurst community, which will be delivered in phases over the next 5 to 15 years. We aren't rushing these plans and we want to get this right in collaboration with local people - and we will continue the conversation that we started last year before any firm long-term plans are agreed.

"We want to see the Collyhurst community thrive, and we want to be clear that no one will be asked to move out of their area. If a property does need to be demolished, those residents will be offered a new home in Collyhurst - in a single move - to suit their needs. And we are also reviewing necessary investment in existing homes to improve those at the same time. This investment will be complemented by new green spaces, walking and cycling routes, and new facilities such as shops, health and school provision.

"We are already onsite with the first phase of building in Collyhurst where 274 homes are being built - and crucially 130 of these are Council homes for social rent and will be offered to existing residents. This is about making sure that lots of the new housing is as affordable as possible, which is why nearly half of the new housing in Phase 1 is being built for social rent. And our officers are working closely with the Collyhurst residents who are moving into these new council homes on completion."