BURY: Multi-million pound projects set to transform Bury in 2022

From the multi-million pound improvements to Bury market, a new high school, town centre redevelopment and housing in Radcliffe and planned changes to the centres of Ramsbottom and Prestwich, we take a look at the planned projects and how they are set to look.

Bury Regen Mkt Flexi Hall

Bury Market

Bury’s famous market is set to for a ‘generational boost’ after being allocated £20m of investment in the budget last October.

The historic attraction was awarded the maximum grant allowed under the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to build a new flexi-hall and regenerate the surrounding area.

Bury Council said the money would see the market ‘thrive for many generations to come’.

The flexi hall will comprise a large, state-of-the-art, carbon neutral, multi-functional events space that can support market stalls, ‘pop-up’ trading, live performance, and community events.

The development will also include a café bar, an area dedicated to office functions, and space dedicated to the provision of workshops, co-worker space or small business start-ups.

The flexi hall will be used to complement the market’s offer and expand the diversity of groups who use the market, without losing or alienating existing customers.

It will provide space to support food and drink festivals and seasonal events such as Christmas markets.

Market improvement works will mean refurbished market kiosks, improved access and servicing, and a new ‘oversailing’ canopy which will cover the existing market which will be highly visible from Angouleme Way, giving visitors a positive view of the space.

There will also be work to address repair and maintenance issues, as well as measures to improve the environmental performance of the market through recycling infrastructure and energy efficiency improvements.

The public realm surrounding the market have better links between the market and adjacent infrastructure, including Bury Interchange, the college and the wider town centre.

The entrances to the market will also become more clearly defined.

Bury Regen Fire Station1

Former fire station Hotel

There are plans for a new 130-room hotel on the site of Bury’s former fire station

The site at The Rock was vacated by the fire service when it moved to a new headquarters at Chamberhall and the building was demolished in 2020.

The council acquired the former fire station site from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue in 2012 after the relocation.

The site occupies a one acre site at what Bury Council describes as a ‘prominent gateway location’ and ‘presents a significant development opportunity for the town’.

Ramsbottom

The Ramsbottom town centre plan includes proposals to reduce conflict between pedestrians and vehicles, improve linkages between attractions, address parking issues for visitors and help business growth.

This includes aspirations for a dedicated space to host events and entertainment and measures to help businesses thrive through the creation of an enterprise centre and offices.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “Ramsbottom has developed into an attractive visitor destination, supported by the East Lancashire Railway, a high-quality restaurant scene, a range of independent retailers, a popular annual events programme and a growing reputation as one of the best places to live in the region.

“However, it is not immune from the challenges that town centres across the country have faced, with the decline of the high street and the ravages of Covid.

“We need a plan which will enable the town centre to adapt to the changes so that Ramsbottom can continue to be an appealing place to visit and a great place to live and work.”

Bury Regen Prest Long

Prestwich Longfield centre

An ambitious timeline for the regeneration of Prestwich centre has been set after Bury Council entered into a joint venture with a property developer.

The council acquired the Longfield shopping centre in July and is now working towards delivery of the huge project, which is set to create housing, employment, retail and civic space into the heart of the town.

The authority is in a 50-50 partnership with Muse Developments to bring forward detailed plans for the area of the Longfield centre.

In a document presented to the cabinet the council said the partnership with Muse would ‘accelerate progress and unlock planning submission to spring 2022 with commencement as soon as 2023’.

The acquisition of the Longfield shopping centre provided the council with 26 of the 27 units.

Under the joint venture the council will keep rental income until development work starts at the centre, which at the moment has full occupancy.

Bury Regen East Lancs Paper Mill

East Lancashire Paper Mill — Radcliffe

For the former East Lancashire Paper Mill Bury Council is working with Homes England to create an initial 25 affordable homes delivered by Great Places followed by 400 homes.

development will have a minimum 25 per cent affordable element and is currently being tendered.

The future development will be surrounded by parkland and upgraded cricket club facilities.

Bury Regen Rad School

New High School Radcliffe

A long-awaited new secondary school for Radcliffe is is set to progress in 2022.

In November, Bury Council agreed to transfer the site – known as Coney Green – to the Department for Education (DfE) and Star Academy Trust.

Council officials say the decision would ‘unlock the delivery of a new secondary school for Radcliffe’.

The construction of the school will mean the demolition of the current pool and leisure centre and the Spring Lane school pupil referral unit, which are currently on the land.

Star Academy Trust and the DfE are working on a feasibility study for the new school building, in anticipation of a planning submission in 2022.

Radcliffe town centre

Wide-ranging proposals to transform the heart of Radcliffe include a new Radcliffe Hub and create new facilities for local businesses and public services.

The scheme was another to receive a £20M ‘levelling up’ boost from the government in October, 2021.

The hub project is estimated to cost a total of £42m, with £20m from the Levelling Up Fund and the remainder from Bury Council and external sources.

The main hub building will be the council’s first carbon zero building and will feature a leisure centre with swimming pool, gym and fitness studios, a new library and skills centre, and a community space for meetings and events.

It will also have office accommodation and public service providers supporting individuals and families with their health, skills, employment and well-being needs.

Market Chambers will be refurbished on all floors to ensure the heritage building is preserved.

The basement of the market will also be refurbished as a large events space for community and private functions and activities, served by a new accessible lift.

New car parking facilities will also be created and improvements made to wider public areas.