The big plans that could change the face of Bury in 2023 and beyond

Developers also continue to table plans for schemes that catch the eye and promise to bring new homes, leisure and medical facilities to the borough.

Below are are some of the key projects could transform the town in 2023 and beyond:

Longfield Centre, Prestwich

£100m plans to redevelop Prestwich are to accelerate in 2023 with business owners and the town’s residents being asked to contribute to its shape.

Proposals to demolish the current Longfield centre and replace it with independent businesses, a mix of homes, outdoor areas and a new community hub focused on health have been formed by the council and development partners Muse.

The Longfield Centre in Prestwich is set to be demolished and redeveloped

A "community conversation" will formally launch in January and provide information on the emerging vision and concept designs for the regeneration of Prestwich village centre.

The consultation will end on Friday, March 17, 2023, with the feedback being used to develop the vision for Prestwich.

Developers Muse and the council then plan to hold a further conversation on the detailed proposals for Your Prestwich in summer 2023 before submitting a planning application by the autumn.

Mill Gate Shopping Centre

The council has bought Mill Gate Shopping Centre, paving the way for its redevelopment.

The acquisition of the 15-acre Mill Gate estate was paid for by a loan from the public works loan board.

The council has also entered into a joint venture with developers Bruntwood to work on improvements to the shopping complex.

By owning the centre, the council said it aims to be in control its future destiny.

They said the move was "to secure its long-term future" and to avoid "public sector intervention further down the line at potentially great cost".

Mill Gate Shopping Centre is now in council ownership ahead of it being redeveloped

Early plans for the revamp of centre were included in a draft of the council's town centre masterplan.

The report said: “One of the most important character zones established by the masterplan is the retail heart which includes Mill Gate, The Rock shopping centre and Bury Market.

“The plan identifies opportunities to consolidate and diversify the current Mill Gate retail offer with the addition of new residential, leisure uses, serviced offices and food and beverage uses.

“The acquisition of the centre and the joint venture with Bruntwood provide the control, investment and expertise to deliver those opportunities.”

Bury College STEM centre

Bury College campus has seen investment of nearly £60m, most recently in a new Health Innovation

STEM building being constructed on the vacant Peel Health Centre of Trinity Street.

The centre, due to open in 2023, will support the expansion of healthcare and digital technologies, as well as explore new opportunities for future curriculum development.

It will include facilities such as a laboratory, simulated hospital ward and simulated domestic home.

The new STEM block at Bury College is set to open in 2023

The development looks to reinforce the college’s presence at the southern approach to Bury town centre.

The college has plans to transform their estate to the south of the ring road, with defined areas for public access and academic uses, removing accommodation which has reached the end of its useful life and replacing it with new accommodation while expanding the college’s external landscaped and social gathering spaces.

Radcliffe Civic Hub

The new Civic Hub will be built in the heart of Radcliffe town centre.

It will become the new permanent home for leisure in Radcliffe, together with a new library, community space and enhanced support for health and wellbeing.

Images of how Radcliffe town centre is set to to be developed

Also part of the civic hub project is the renovation of Market Chambers to host new retail, offices and studios, refurbishment of the market hall basement for a multi-purpose event space and improvements to the surrounding town centre public spaces.

It will be funded by £20m won from the Levelling Up Fund in autumn 2021 and £20m council capital programme commitment.

Bury Interchange improvements

This month, £2.6m was signed off for the interchange project, to make the site "fit for the future".

The proposals are part of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network masterplan to mirror a London-style integrated transport system with the interchange identified as a site that needs improvement.

The Bury plans will see the Metrolink platform refurbished to include more capacity, a new shelter, and an extra southern step free access.

A new vertical circulation core will be provided with lift, escalator and stair provision to integrate the Metrolink stop with the new bus and active travel facilities at ground level.

Funds have been allocated to improve Bury Interchange this month

The council said the redevelopment of Bury Interchange is a priority project as a key town centre gateway, anchor and transport hub, the

redevelopment of the interchange is a vital part of supporting future movement in to and around the town centre, together with the anticipated growth in population and footfall.

Bury Market Flexi-Hall

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

How the new flexi-hall at Bury Market is set to look

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 Bury market’s offer and expand the diversity of groups who use the market, without losing or alienating existing customers.

Radcliffe’s new 750-place high school at Spring Lane

Plans for a brand-new secondary school for Radcliffe continue to move forward.

The Department for Education (DfE) is responsible for delivery of the scheme to construct the new school building.

Star Multi Academy Trust will be the education provider that will run the school.

The academy trust are attending meetings with all Radcliffe primary schools to ensure work begins on curriculum transition and that pupils and parents are involved at the earliest opportunity.

Detailed design work for the school has been started by the DfE.

To allow for progression of site works, possession of the Spring Lane site has been requested by September 2023.