Area Transformation
Locals living near Manchester City's Etihad Stadium, also known as the Grey Mare estate, are considering leaving the area due to its deteriorating state. The community has witnessed the transformation of the area over the years, thanks to the construction of the stadium and nearby sports campus. However, with recent plans for a £300m expansion of the stadium approved by Manchester City Council, residents feel left behind.
Abandoned Plans
Plans to refurbish and improve the old Grey Mare estate have faced numerous setbacks. A masterplan proposed demolishing existing properties and building new homes, but this plan has been put on hold, leaving many properties boarded up and abandoned. Locals are becoming frustrated and are expressing their desire to move.
Residents' Frustrations
One resident, who has lived on the estate for 50 years, expressed their disappointment, stating that the area has become a "s*** tip." They attribute the decline in the neighborhood to the proximity of the stadium, which attracts thousands of visitors. Another resident compared the paused redevelopment plans to an unfinished "jigsaw puzzle."
Lack of Progress
Manchester Central’s Labour MP Lucy Powell voiced her concern and disappointment in the lack of progress in redeveloping the estate. She criticized the current leadership for not delivering on their promises and failing to meet expected standards. One Manchester, the organization managing the social housing on the estate, admitted to the frustrations expressed by residents but blamed a lack of government-backed funding.
Hopes for Improvement
Manchester council’s executive member for housing and development Gavin White reassured locals that the planned works would continue. The council considers the investment and regeneration of the Grey Mare Lane estate a priority and is committed to delivering new homes and improvements to the community. The approved £300m scheme to expand Manchester City's stadium will begin construction later this year and is expected to be completed by late 2026.
Overall, the neglect and setbacks experienced by residents living near Manchester City's Etihad Stadium have led to their desire to leave the area. They feel left behind as the stadium undergoes expansion while their own community remains in a state of disrepair. The hopes for revitalization and improvement of the Grey Mare estate are now in the hands of the city council and One Manchester, with promises made to collaborate and seek further investment proposals.
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