Plans for JD Sports to build its new headquarters have been approved.

The proposals for the headquarters include a gym, restaurant, outdoor sports facilities and a creche building and would be located at the junction of Hollins Brook Way and Pilsworth Road, directly next to the existing JD offices and car parks.

During a council planning committee on Tuesday, James Fuller, who has been an employee of JD for more 15 years and is responsible for leading the strategic campus project, spoke in favour of the application. 

Read more: New Bury headquarters development for JD Sports set to be approved

He said: “We found our company’s facilities don’t match places like Facebook, Google, Nike or even the startups in Manchester.

“While this might sound on face value a spoilt employee mindset, things have changed when it comes to offices and lifestyle, with the two being interconnected.

“With childcare costs being so expensive, many new parents are faced with tough decisions of not returning to work for financial reasons.

“Our development proposal resolves all these hurdles creating a world leading campus right here in Bury.

“While we are one of the largest employers in the borough these new facilities will create hundreds of new jobs allowing our group to meet its business objectives.”

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The plans did cause a number of worries from residents though.

These included concerns over "no plan for controlled pedestrian crossings anywhere on Pilsworth Road", the two-year construction period causing disruption and the level of noise from the creche causing a nuisance to residents on nearby homes.

Another fear was the football pitch closing at 9pm would create more noise and lead to a litter problem.

In response, Mr Fuller said: “The campus won’t just benefit JD employees, it will have a positive impact on the local community and our neighbours too.

“Our investment will significantly improve the road network and infrastructure for thousands of residents and commuters improving the traffic on Pilsworth Road and introducing traffic calming measures outside our campus, a point raised in our neighbour’s consultation meetings.

“We’ve carefully considered our neighbours feedback throughout the design process, engaging with them on multiple occasions to explain our plans and address their concerns.

“We intend to be in Bury for the foreseeable and having a strong relationship with our neighbours is something we take seriously.”

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Also supporting the plans, Unsworth Cllr Nathan Boroda added: “I think it’s good the residents were listened to because as councillors our priority is the voice of residents are always heard so it was good that that happened.

“The concerns about privacy were also listened to at that point.

“One of the biggest things was the traffic on Croft Lane, any measures to address and improve that is massively welcomed so if anyone is on Croft Lane at 4pm, 5pm or 6pm it’s heavily backed up so improvements on Hollins Brow will make a big difference.

“One of the big issues when it’s not clogged up is speeding, and obviously we’ve got a brand-new crossing but on either side of that there’s lots of concerns of speeding so measures like a speed sign that has been talked about will make a big difference.”

None of the planning committee councillors objected to the plans and the application was approved unanimously.

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