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Belle Vue 2020 Vision for Manchester - Alternative Plan for Super-casino site

"All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible." -Orison Swett Marden

C4S are championing the development of a positive alternative proposal on behalf of the people of East Manchester. ‘The Belle Vue 2020 Vision’ has been developed by listening to local people who fondly remember, value and are still inspired by the history and content of Belle Vue Zoological Park which once graced East Manchester with a magical, family focused theme park.

The vision is currently being developed into a detailed proposal that is based on an ecological and conservation theme celebrating the natural environment, cultural heritage and cosmopolitan history of Manchester. This proposal will provide worthwhile careers, inspirational learning facilities and a magical leisure development that opens opportunity for all in a safe and nurturing environment.

This is not just local people looking back nostalgically. Far from it, we are thinking very deeply about the legacy our actions at the start of C21st will leave for future generations. C4S and partners have spoken with businesses who assure us they have the capability to bring a bespoke eco-affordable house manufacturing base to the area alongside tourist and leisure facilities that will create lasting, meaningful work for thousands well into the future.

"This opens the way for realistic discussions as to sustainable options that could begin to tackle our national eco-affordable housing crisis", said Sandra Webb, a resident who lives close to the area where the casino was to have been sited. "While some people are understandably disappointed that the jobs the casino could have brought will not now come to East Manchester, many local people are delighted that the voice of the communities most affected by all this at last have a chance to speak about alternative options that we think offer much more promise than the idea of a casino. We are delighted that Gordon Brown and government ministers are listening to what people really want".

"One of the things that seems to have been overlooked by those who saw the casino as a practical solution", commented Rev. David Gray, Gorton community regeneration worker,  "is the fact that the people living in the area are fully aware of the advantages of diverse family leisure facilities on the local economy. Many of us remember that before the slum clearances and poor transitional management that led to its closure, Gorton in what we now call East Manchester was home to one of the most popular leisure centres in the world: Belle Vue Zoological Gardens. Some of what Belle Vue offered is reflected in the quality of the  sporting facilities East Manchester can now offer and in recent developments like the EST Donkey Centre at Debdale Park and the restoration of Gorton Monastery which, along with City of Manchester Stadium, can host dancing and banqueting on a scale not seen in the area since the closure of Belle Vue".

"There is huge interest in Belle Vue that goes beyond nostalgia" said Damian Carr of C4S. "We are touching on exciting new possibilities here and members of C4S and our partner groups have been working on a 'Belle Vue 2020 Vision' including an overarching Strategy as a focus for regeneration, which David and I had an opportunity to discuss with ministers in Westminster this week. This is rooted in what local people on the ground want and are addressing. Gorton Visual Arts Group, for example, is busy working on a mural depicting scenes from the Circus, Zoo, theme park rides and other aspects of Belle Vue to go in the restored Market Hall at Gorton District Centre, while David and other local historians working on behalf of the Monastery and Angels are being invited into East Manchester schools, where local history is a key part of a curriculum aimed at promoting community cohesion".

"Children are often overlooked when new facilities are being planned", Rev. Gray said, "yet adults and children alike are eager to see modern leisure facilities akin to those Belle Vue once offered. Unlike the casino, these ideas appeal to all ages in the local community and could lead to a hugely profitable tourist attraction that would draw millions of people from around UK and the world to East Manchester once again for days out and family holidays".

"Faith Network for Manchester held a seminar to explore the sagacity the casino option days before the House of Lords rejected the idea", said Bill Booth, former chair of C4S. "Like those good people, C4S members and the many local people we represent are keen to promote discussions that could lead to viable new job opportunities in the area" He added: "some people are talking as if the casino's going means the end of the road for the development of East Manchester, but in fact to many living in the area this offers the first real opportunity to talk about practical, uplifting solutions that will bring the joy back into the hearts of local people by creating meaningful and fulfilling jobs that will in turn impact on the quality of life for millions in the years ahead as we develop family leisure facilities alongside an environmentally friendly housing manufacturing base".

You can see the latest media interest at Bring back Belle Vue - and while you are there why not join in the debate by leaving a message of support. The recent poll showed that 89% of readers supported the scheme but we wish to clarify that we do not want to build a Zoo - the last thing C4S want to promote is a prison for animals.

If you'd like to join the campaign, send us a message of support or share your memories of Belle Vue please email us at c4stability@googlemail.com - it'd be great to hear from you.