Irish World Heritage Centre, Cheetham Hill, North Manchester

[heatonparkincakes]

I will pop down and have a look,

Obviously not now, but yer know....

To summarize, the hotel will be facing Queens Rd, the centre immediately behind it, then some sports fields and retail sheds at the pocket behind Fort Manchester.

Tremendous news, I think the new centre will be something quite special for Manchester. Not just for real and plastic Paddys or even the northside.

[Comdot]

as far as i know there was only an outline application approved. they would need a full application to start building. it is possible they submitted a full one and it got approved and i didn't notice, though i've have had a look on the planning portal map (http://www.publicaccess.manchester.g...aspx?module=P3) and nothing new is coming up.

[CDX]

New reserved matters app:

091391/MO/2009/N1
RESERVED MATTERS APPLICATION for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following Outline Approval reference 083788/OO/2007/N1 for the erection of a new Irish World Heritage Centre and associated landscaping, car parking and boundary treatments

[Comdot]

good stuff.

just because i always forget exactly what 'reserved matters' means: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/upl...ed_matters.pdf

The Application for Approval of Reserved Matters form should be used after an outline planning application has been approved.
A reserved matters application deals with some or all of the outstanding details of the outline application proposal,

[CDX]

From Crains:

Irish centre unveils plans
http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk
October 12, 2009


An impression of the outdoor area whose design is based on an ancient ring fort

This is the first glimpse of the plans for Manchester's new Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill. A detailed planning application has been submitted to Manchester City Council, which includes a 30,000 sq ft building with an exhibition space, multi-purpose function rooms, restaurant and bar.

The design of the outdoor space is based on an ancient Irish ring fort and will be used for open air weddings and concerts.

The centre has appointed Bury-based LK Management as main contractors. Managing director Conor Leyden said funding of £5.5m had been assembled so far, including some from the Irish government.

The existing centre, on the corner of Queen's Road and Cheetham Hill Road, will be sold for redevelopment. Land next to the new centre will be developed as a 140-bedroom hotel and a leisure centre with five-a-side football pitches.

Leyden said the complicated project, which has already received outline planning permission and has been in the pipeline for more than four years, was finally coming together. “It has gone out to public consultation with the residents and the council are very keen on it,” he said.

LK Management is part of the LK Group, which is chaired by Leyden's father, Patrick.

The centre is hoping to sign deals with an operator for the five-a-side pitches and the hotel in the near future.

A development agreement was signed four years ago between the city council and developer Teesland iDG, which was taken over in 2007 by Australian group Valad.

The complex will be built on a 25 acre plot of derelict land bounded by Queens Road, Manchester Fort Retail Park, Fairholme Caravan Park and the Metrolink line.

[CDX]

Site Plan:

Site Plan
Associated Docs

Proposed hotel to the right, Gaelic football pitches out of shot to the top, Metrolink access bottom right.

[jrb]

Manchester Confidential. Rest of the article below render.

The Irish World Heritage Centre to blossom



The Irish World Heritage Centre thinks big - and not just with its name – and gives us a ring

Here’s a view of the proposed Irish World Heritage Centre on Queens Road in Cheetham Hill – which our colleagues on Crain’s Manchester Business ran yesterday and then , bless them, supplied us with the picture we have here.

For many years now the place has been considered too small to contain its ambition, which has prevented it apparently from ‘realising its full potential as a nationally and internationally significant attraction.’

But what’s the Irish World Heritage Centre, you might ask?

Well, it’s more the local Irish community’s community centre, in a stodgy early twentieth century building. It was opened twice, once in 1984, and then officially by the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Peter Barry, in 1986.

It claims to be ‘the main venue for the Irish community of Manchester to socialise in a welcoming and friendly environment and pursue Irish cultural activities and celebrate the rich heritage of Ireland. Over the centuries, Irish people who emigrated have contributed to world progress. The Irish World Heritage Centre is dedicated to the achievements of those men and women, largely forgotten. It is a celebration of their success, a recognition of their achievements and of the positive contribution they made in the countries which they settled and will be a continuity of Ireland's story embracing the Irish global family of over 70 million.’

Hardly the limpid language of Oscar Wilde but we know what they mean.

There’s a regular programme of events. On Wednesdays there’s a weekly activity including bingo, dancing and refreshments for the over fifties, and the Conradh Na Gaelige Irish Language Class, a social session involving singing, poetry or a short talk. Later this month from 23 October there’s the Sean Dempsey Set Dancing Festival.

For many years now the place has been considered too small to contain its ambition, which has prevented it apparently from ‘realising its full potential as a nationally and internationally significant attraction.’

In 2005 ago plans were put forward for a massive extension creating creating up to 750 new jobs.

The proposals envisaged the replacement of the existing Irish Centre with a new complex including a world-class museum and heritage centre, Gaelic football playing field and 100-bed hotel. It would also incorporate more than 200,000 sq ft of employment space.

These plans seem to have been scaled back. The new ideas submitted for planning permission to Manchester City Council are for a 30,000sq ft building with an exhibition space, multi-purpose function rooms, restaurant and bar.

Perhaps the most striking feature would be an outdoor space, for events and weddings, based on an Irish ring fort.

On 25 acres of nearby waste ground further building would deliver an 140-bedroom hotel, leisure centre and five-a-side complex. It seems the Gaelic footy pitches may have bitten the dust.

The ambition of the project has to be admired. What is certain is that with Manchester Fort shopping centre close by, new Manchester College facilities in the pipeline, the improvement of the housing stock, plus events such as the recent Cheetham Hill Festival, this most diverse of Manchester, indeed British, city areas seems to have turned a corner.

[A6 Bypass]

Went to a brilliant sikh stag do there last year; Bhangra, tripe curry, free booze and everything!

[CDX]

Planning permission has been granted, just a matter of getting the remaining funding to get it built.

[SteKnight]

Taken from The Architects Journal:
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/n...210612.article

Irish World Heritage Centre, Manchester by EWA
9 November, 2009 | By Jake Tharp


[FIRST LOOK] Manchester City Council have given the emerald light to this new £7m development


The new centre, which will replace the existing Irish Centre in Cheetham Hill, is part of a 25-acre redevelopment on Queen’s Road. Future phases will include a hotel, gym, recreation space and 23,000m² of commercial space creating 750 new jobs.

The design by EWA uses traditional stone and timber panelling. The form of the building will echo an Irish ring fort with a large walled enclosure creating a public space in the centre.

This project is one of many in the ‘corridor of investment’ in Manchester. Other projects in the area include Manchester Fort retail park the new Manchester Communications Academy in Harpurhey which opens in September 2010.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: ‘The new Irish World Heritage Centre is one of the headline projects the regeneration of North Manchester.

‘A much-improved Irish Centre has been a long-standing aspiration for the Council and we’re especially pleased it’s being brought forward as part of a comprehensive development which will bring valuable new jobs and facilities to the area.

‘The new centre will celebrate and enhance the contribution of the Irish community to this great city and allow other communities to share their experience.’

EWA are a practice of 100 staff which has offices in Warrington, London and Berlin.

[nq]

Big old bump.

Work starts on Irish World Heritage Centre

http://www.iwhc.com/news/110-work-starts-on-new-centre

[yesevil]

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/news/ar...eritage_centre

More details from the city council...

[Irish Blood English Heart]

They were talking about this when I was in the Irish Society at uni in 2001!

[andysimo123]

From some random construction website...

Willmott Dixon to construct Irish Heritage Centre
06 January 2012
Willmott Dixon has been granted the contract to construct the new Irish World Heritage Centre (IWHC) in Manchester.

The contractor will be working on the development of the 25-acre site, which will feature a range of attractions, including an exhibition space, Construction Enquirer reported.

Future plans for the project, which will use materials sourced from Ireland wherever possible, include the construction of a hotel, playing fields and fitness centre.

The centre will be developed to celebrate the success of people who have left Ireland and seen great success in a number of fields overseas.

Chairman of the IWHC Michael Forde said: "We have always planned to use Irish building materials. We want people to be walking on Irish wood and surrounded by Irish stonework."

During November, Willmott Dixon announced it would be teaming up with Morrisons on the creation of a new multi-purpose scheme to be constructed in Walthamstow.

Businesses in the construction sector could benefit from Sage Estimating, cost planning and post contract software, which is programmed to provide an end-to-end solution for construction projects.
http://www.sageforconstruction.co.uk....aspx?aid=2712

[heatonparkincakes]

When I get back home, I will trawl out an email from the IWHC that has a picture of Michael Forde and a dIgger on site.

It seems after all is time, something is happening on this site.

Good.

Very good.

[andysimo123]

A few updates on this project....

There are a few articles on their site... http://www.iwhc.com

Plus they've got a twitter account with some updates on if anyone wants to follow them... https://twitter.com/IWHCmanchester

and theres a web cam....

http://www.iwhc.com/webcam

[Sir Miles Platting]

It's quite possible that the pyramids were built quicker than this project.

[guy debord]

This finished yet?

[heatonparkincakes]

Guy the picture on the IWHC Facebook page shows that the building has gone up and the high side windows have been installed.

Pretty certain that the passage of the old to new club will be within the next six months.

[nq]

Phase 1 nearly complete, due to open next month.

The new Irish World Heritage Centre is close to completion and we are looking at a handover within the month...This is all very exciting
13 Nov 12 @IWHCmanchester

Phase 1

Phase 1 will contain an education suite and business centre, a large community room with theatre seating, a member’s bar, restaurant, a shop and open exhibition areas throughout. The external area is substantial and is enclosed with a circular stone wall, representing an ancient Irish stone fort. The stone has been imported from Ireland and constructed by Irish stone masons. In fact all of the stonework has been completed by this team. The development is surrounded by green space, something which is rare so close to Manchester City Centre, and the expansive views of the city sky line are breathtaking.

Phase 2

Phase 2 will deliver a conferencing centre, restaurant and museum. The museum will tell the story of the Irish Diaspora worldwide, focusing on the experiences and achievements of the many millions of Irish people around the world, past and present.

http://www.iwhc.com/news/167-new-centre-update