Council approves £100m+ regeneration proposals for Prestwich Village

Bury Council approved plans for the £100m+ transformation of the Longfield Centre site in Prestwich into a new beating heart for the village at its planning control committee last night (July 23).

The plans, by Prestwich Regeneration – the joint venture between national placemaker Muse and Bury Council – will deliver spaces for new local shops, public spaces, community facilities, and much needed new homes at the site off Bury New Road.

The regeneration plans have been shaped significantly by input from locals following two stages of consultation, with changes including the provision of live event spaces as well as a market hall and more community and green spaces.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council, said: “These are truly transformative plans which will reshape Prestwich village – from new housing to shops, leisure facilities and a better living environment.

New vision for Prestwich Village

“Regeneration of our town centres is a crucial part of ensuring that the whole of our borough can prosper and thrive for many generations to come, and we’re looking forward to working with our partners to bring the new Prestwich to life.”

Joe Stockton, at nationwide placemaker, Muse, said: “This is a huge moment for Prestwich. The overhaul of the Longfield Centre will create a new beating heart for the village packed with community facilities, spaces for local businesses to thrive, and much needed new homes.

“Thanks to all the people that took part in the conversation over the last couple of years, we were blown away by the passion local people have for the area. Working together we’ve created a new village centre that everyone can be proud of and that will cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live for decades to come.”

The proposals underwent further changes in April this year, with the inclusion of even more parking spaces in the travel hub, which contains up to 300 car parking spaces as well as EV charging points and cycle storage. This will be constructed first, anticipated to start on site later this year.

The final plans approved by the Local Planning Authority include:

• A community hub including a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture. The building will also offer an opportunity to deliver a new Prestwich Health Centre, with discussions ongoing with the NHS and local GP practices.
• A new village square with family-friendly social places for all the community to meet and relax, which has been flexibly designed so it provides space for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.
• A market hall providing smaller spaces for local retailers to thrive and grow. This includes a food hall for local food operators and communal seating that spills out onto the village square.
• Flexible retail and leisure spaces across the site, which will complement the high street and help to cater for Prestwich’s diverse business community. This includes a new gym.
• Landscaped outdoor and green spaces, trees and places to wander, relax and sit. The existing fountain will be removed and new public art installations will be incorporated throughout the development.
• Enhancing the Prestwich arrival experience from the tram by delivering landscaping which connects with the new public spaces in the village.
• Relocating car parking in the centre of the site to a new travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will contain electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and parcel lockers.
• Provision of around 200 new homes, which forms part of the outline application, is envisaged will include a mix from affordable homes to homes for first time buyers, growing families and downsizers. The design, materials and style will follow in a future detailed planning application.

Plans for the huge regeneration programme were submitted to the council for planning permission in February this year.