'I am afraid of losing the house I have lived in for 32 years'

BBC photo of Gaynor Hutton in the kitchen of her home in Collyhurst. She has long blonde hair and wears a black long-sleeved top. — Gaynor Hutton fears her customized bungalow in Collyhurst could be demolished

“They have to drag me out of here before I can leave this house.”

Gaynor Hutton has been told her 32-year-old home may have to be bulldozed during the redevelopment of her housing estate.

The 53-year-old woman, who has both her legs amputated, said she would do anything to live in her specially adapted bungalow in Collyhurst.

Manchester City Council said: “If any properties need to be demolished, residents will be provided with a new home in Collyhurst to suit their needs.”

New homes have long been planned in Collyhurst

Photograph of flats being built on previously derelict land in Collyhurst — New homes have long been planned in Collyhurst

The first phase of redevelopment work has already started in Collyhurst, less than two miles north-east of Manchester city centre.

Plans for the second phase are expected to be approved in the new year.

Some residents fear this could mean “unnecessary” demolition of their homes.

Gaynor said she was worried “we’ll never find a house like this again”.

He told that he had bought his three-bedroom bungalow through the government Right to Buy Scheme 20 years ago.

“We have invested a lot in this house and have raised three children here,” he said.

“It has a ‘weight room’ and we got a new kitchen last year.

“The new house won’t meet my needs.”

Many acres of land in Collyhurst have lain idle for years

Photograph of vacant land in Collyhurst - approximately ten years after several blocks of maisonettes were demolished. — Many acres of land in Collyhurst have lain idle for years

The original plan for hundreds of new homes in Collyhurst – funded through a £252m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) scheme – was scrapped in 2010.

However, several blocks of the maisonette were demolished, leaving behind land that had been derelict for over a decade.

In October 2022, Manchester City Council (MCC) entered into a partnership with developer Far East Consortium Limited.

Construction is underway to build 244 homes in Collyhurst village as well as 30 council homes for social rent in South Collyhurst.

Sharon Leach welcomes regeneration plans

Photograph of Sharon Leach standing on the street in Collyhurst. She wears a dark blue T-shirt with a white hoodie. Smiling for the camera, she also wears a red and white Santa hat. — Sharon Leach welcomes regeneration plans

Sharon Leach works at Kylie’s Kitchen, a café near Whitley Road.

The 62-year-old said: “Collyhurst has always been a strong community but that’s why people are struggling with change.

“It upsets some people, but what they’re doing here is fantastic. I think it will be a really lively, vibrant place.”

‘new house’

MCC is now finalizing plans for the second phase of work.

The local authority hopes this will create 2,500 new homes as well as the creation of new public spaces and a tram stop.

Gavin White, MCC executive member for housing and development, said: “We want to make clear that no one will be asked to move out of their area and we will work with residents on these plans.”

Part of the regeneration of Collyhurst the £4 billion Victoria North project, It is hoped that 15,000 new homes will be provided over the next 15 years.