Woodhouse Park Active Lifestyle Centre is set to launch a scheme to reduce its carbon footprint after securing a £1.2 million Government grant.
Manchester City Council has been awarded around £300,000 in the latest round of the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme and will contribute the remaining £879,000 to cut 52 tonnes of carbon emissions a year by making the leisure centre and community facility more energy efficient through the installation of an air source heat pump and LED lighting.
The money has been awarded in the latest round of the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, which is initiated by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix Finance, as part of a joint bid administered by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The Council has previously secured around £30m in funding for carbon reduction schemes to install solar PV cells, air and ground source heat pumps, LED lighting and other energy saving features in key buildings across its estate. Since 2019/20 a 30% reduction in carbon emissions has been achieved.Work on the Woodhouse Park Active Lifestyle Centre scheme is due to be completed by the end of March 2024.
Baguley councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment for Manchester City Council, said: “Our buildings are the Council’s biggest source of direct emissions and one of the areas where we are leading by example in cutting greenhouse gases. This latest scheme will be another contribution to that cause.”
And Salix Director of Programme Ian Rodger said: “We are looking forward to working with Manchester City Council on this project which will help cut carbon emissions and will make this well-used community facility more energy efficient. We will support the Council throughout this decarbonisation journey, helping it meet its net zero targets.
Historic Wythenshawe Hall will be re-opened to the public next weekend (September 10th) after being restored to its former glory following an arson attack six years ago.
The long-anticipated repairs to the Grade II listed building in Wythenshawe Park, have now been completed.
The hall was forced to close due to an arson attack in 2016. Manchester City Council has carried out over £6.7 million of extensive refurbishment works and have enhanced security upgrades to the hall, to protect it from further damage and to allow the public to enjoy the magnificent building once again.
Manchester City Council with partners Conlon Construction, have been working to ensure that the building is brought back to its former glory and so future generations and residents can enjoy the Hall.
As part of the restoration works, the entire roof of the hall has been replaced. The Main Hall has seen the refurbishment of the ceiling and conservation of the timber panelling, which have been delicately cleaned and repaired to ensure the unique and historic designs were protected. The timeless stained-glass windows have been replaced and the artistry has been mimicked to best represent the original windows on the building.
Pic: MCC
The restoration of Wythenshawe Hall won a Civic Trust Architects Accredited in Building Conservation (AABC) Award in 2021. The project was one of just two to receive the AABC Conservation Award at national level, which recognises projects that demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment. In addition, RIBA North West Award 2021, RIBA North West Conservation Award 2021 were also won by Buttress Architects for the restoration work on the Hall.
Now, the Hall is ready to be dressed and restored to its former glory. It will be reopened to the public on 10 September to celebrate the Friends of Wythenshawe Park’s 10-year anniversary.
Councillor Lee Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbourhoods, said: “It brings me great pleasure to see that the Hall has reopened and restored to its former glory after the devastating incident in 2016. As custodians of the building the Council have been working over the past few years to protect the Hall and we have also carried out major improvement works to ensure the building is better suited for the future.
“Despite the gruelling and long repair process, we have been able to preserve many of the building’s original features and characteristics- which is a wonderful achievement. I also want to thank our Construction partners Conlon for all of their hard work in repairing the damage.
“Wythenshawe Hall is a beautiful building that harbours lots of local history and cultural value and I am pleased we have repaired the damage that was done.”
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe announced the appointment of their new Head Boy, Bryme, and Head Girl, Isabelle. The Head Boy and Head Girl play a key role in the school community and the appointments follow a lengthy interviewing and selection process.
Head boy, Bryme and Head Girl Isabelle
Bryme and Isabelle will act as role models and figureheads at Saint Paul’s. They will represent the school at a wide variety of events and work with a team of carefully selected prefects to help ensure the smooth running of the school. They will assist staff, support younger students, help to maintain our high standards, organise events and represent the school in the community.
Residents in Northenden and Didsbury who had been evacuated from their homes can now return, after the Severe Flood Warning for the area was stood down.
Wythenshawe Forum remains open and around 48 people attended the rest centre there overnight
This mean that people who have been evacuated from their home can now return – but emergency services remain on alert as water levels are expected to vary today. Vulnerable people will be helped to return home during the day.
Water levels had continued to rise overnight as expected, but the Didsbury Basin did not significantly overflow and the worst-case scenario was avoided.
However, high water levels have flooded some gardens and some roads remain closed.
The emergency response saw more than 200 hundred Council staff, police officers, Red Cross and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue officers on the ground who knocked on around 1,700 Didsbury and Northenden doors and supported local residents.
Vulnerable and self-isolating residents were provided emergency accommodation overnight and care packages were provided to support people.
People are reminded to remain at home and only travel if absolutely necessary.
Cllr Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Thankfully we avoided the level of flooding that we expected overnight. A huge debt of thanks is owed to the Council staff, emergency services and volunteers who were on the ground through the night, knocking on doors and supporting residents who had been asked to evacuate. It really was the best of Manchester in action.
“Standing down the Severe Flood Warning means that people can now return to their homes, which I know will be a huge relief to residents who left their lives at home last night not knowing what they might go back to.
“Water levels will continue to be reviewed throughout the day as water levels are expected to vary, so keep an eye information from the Council and emergency services. “Our thoughts are with those people in Greater Manchester who have been badly affected.”
A severe flood warning is in place for Northenden and homes have been evacuated in parts of South Manchester as levels of the River Mersey continue to rise
The GM Strategic Coordination Group for Storm Christoph and the Environment Agency have enacted warnings covering parts of Didsbury, Chorlton and Northenden tonight.
And Manchester City Council has also set up a COVID-safe emergency rest centre at Wythenshawe Forum in case anyone is told to evacuate because of flooding and has nowhere else to go.
Residents are advised that only if they live in a property that is within the Severe Flood Warning area – or they are instructed by an emergency service – they should begin to evacuate their property.
This level of flood warning means that evacuations have started due to the potential risk of flooding. There is also a particular focus on supporting vulnerable households.
The Council is working with colleagues in Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue and Environment Agency to proactively evacuate homes before any flooding has taken place, which is anticipated in the early hours 21 January. This is to ensure people’s safety.
All flood basins have been opened, but river levels are expected to rise this evening and the decision has been made to evacuate people in a safe and controlled way this evening, rather than waiting to assess the flooding impact overnight.
When evacuating, remember:
Essential Medicines
Insurance Documents
Turn off utilities – electric, gas and water
Take any important or valuable items upstairs
Let friends and family know where you have gone
If someone is asked to leave their home and need to stay with family or friends temporarily due to flooding, they will not be in breach of coronavirus laws, which allow for exceptions including to escape the risk of harm – and no legal action will be taken.
However, people should still take precautions to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus – remember to wear a face covering, keep your distance from others outside of your household or bubble, and wash hands regularly.
Manchester City Council has also set up a COVID-safe emergency rest centre at Wythenshawe Forum in case anyone is told to evacuate because of flooding and has nowhere else to go.
If someone has been asked to self-isolate due to Government guidance around Covid-19 or if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, they will already have been contacted directly and Covid-secure accommodation will be provided.
Anyone with urgent need for care and support should call the Council’s Contact Centre on 0161 234 5001.
Cllr Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We have been working closely with the police and Environment Agency to keep the levels of the River Mersey under review. The Severe Flood Warning means that we have already begun helping people evacuate safely tonight as we expect the water levels to continue to rise overnight.
“If you are asked to leave your home we would strongly advise you to do so. Flooding and flood water can be dangerous, so we would ask you to continue to follow advice from the council, Greater Manchester Police and the Environment Agency. But please, only leave your home if you are instructed to.
“The City Council has set up an emergency rest centre at the Wythenshawe Forum for people who are unable to stay with family or friends. If you can stay with someone, please remember to think Covid. Keep your distance, wear a face covering, wash your hands – and allow fresh air in.”
