National Character Area 55 - Manchester Conurbation : Key Characteristics

Large settlements have come together to form the conurbation, characterised by dense urban and industrial development, commercial, financial, retail and administrative centres, commuter suburbs and housing.

The area is centred on low hills, enclosed by the Pennine hills to the north and east, and crossed by several meandering river valleys.

The geology is dominated by sandstones, with the underlying Permo- Triassic sandstones forming an extensive aquifer; this is overlain by thick deposits of glacial till.

Woodland is usually found in corridors along the slopes of the river valleys, and also on what was once brownfield land.

There are small pockets of farmland, bounded by fences or hedges. However, an increasing number of farms are now given over to urban farming uses such as equestrian facilities, supplying the demand for recreation.

Public parks and recreation facilities provide valuable open spaces for people within this urban environment; community gardens and allotments are places for local food growing.

River valleys form important corridors of semi-natural habitats and natural green spaces – with open grassland, woodland and wetland – linking urban centres with open countryside. Many post-industrial sites and canals provide wildlife habitats.

Drainage is through a series of river valleys that weave through the urban fabric, flowing broadly from the Pennine moors to the east and north, towards the lower-lying areas of the south and west.

The area’s legacy of industrial archaeology – particularly relating to the textile industry – is increasingly recognised. Red brick and sandstone buildings are prominent in the city and town centres, alongside buildings using a mix of modern materials, high-rise buildings, and landmark 19th-, 20th- and 21st-century buildings.

The Manchester Conurbation forms a busy transport hub, interlinked with surrounding areas by an extensive web of roads, tramways and railways – major communications corridors. Access is also provided by the canal network.