Mayfield Park is a 2.6 hectare city centre regeneration project on the River Medlock and is a great example of how strategic planning of green infrastructure has led to the first new park in Manchester for 100 years! It delivers quality greenspace, play space and ecological habitat. The park opened to the public in September 2022 and received a Green Flag Award in 2024.
What was the vision?
A major new park for the city of Manchester, at the heart of a new city neighbourhood. A regeneration project connected to its history, with people, place and nature at its heart.
How did the Green Infrastructure Framework help to realise the vision?
A green infrastructure strategy is an essential rallying point from where to assess where you are, where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. It facilitates the development of a long-term vision alongside evidence. Mayfield Park is an example of how a strategy can be applied on the ground, with Natural England’s Green Infrastructure Framework providing critical guidance and a framework from which to recognise opportunities for green infrastructure and how to exploit them.
What's been achieved?
A landscape-led approach and creative design have delivered a special place in the heart of the city, only a minute’s walk from the main train station, on the doorstep of residential areas. A place celebrating a fascinating industrial past, with real impact on people’s lives. It’s free, it’s accessible, it’s interesting, and its city centre location is expected to stimulate signifcant investement.
Mayfield Park has won many prestigious industry awards and commendations. Including, Commended, Best Practice Award for Large Scale Mitigation, Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) 2023. Green Flag Award, 2024.
Creative design has delivered innovative features, making the site adaptable to the conditions it might face as the climate changes. In particular, flooding. The previously concealed River Medlock has been opened up, providing a flood defence for the city, creating new wet-dry habitat and drawing wildlife into the heart of Manchester. Substantial tree planting is improving air quality and helping to regulate the local climate through shading.
What were the problems to overcome?
A thorough understanding of the site, a previously contaminated brownfield site, derelict for more than 50 years, was essential, including the state of the ground and how the existing structures were designed and built. Heavily contaminated soil had to be removed to specialist waste sites, but 80% of the site’s materials were reused, reducing Carbon emissions by an estimated 240 tonnes. For example, hogback beams have been uncovered and reused to support three new bridges, saving an estimated equivalent of 23.8 tonnes of CO2.
What lessons have been learnt?
Working in partnership, collaborating to realise a shared vision and investment in green infrastructure has made a measurable contribution to economic, climate and biodiversity objectives.
How was the green infrastructure strategy funded?
The Mayfield Partnership benefitted from a £23 million grant from the Government's Getting Building Fund, allowing work to begin on the park before all other development and making the scheme more appealing to potential buyers.
How is the infrastructure being managed and funded going forward?
An estate management strategy has been developed in consultation with the community.