‘Prestwich transformed’: 8 key things about the £100m regeneration

Last week, a formal planning application was lodged containing more than 210 documents outlining how a huge area, including the soon to be demolished Longfield centre, will be replaced.

Developers Prestwich Regeneration, a joint venture between developers Muse and the council, say the transformation will cement the suburb as one of the best places to live and spend time in the region.

The new layout includes a "Mackie Mayor" style food hall for food and drink operators with communal seating spilling out onto a new village square.

A community hub with a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture.

It will also host a new Prestwich Health Centre, with discussions ongoing with the NHS and local GP practices.

The plans, which have a construction phase for the project of just over three years, also contain a new village square with family-friendly areas for people to meet and relax, which has been designed to be used for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.

Here we take a "deep dive" into the plans and look at eight specific elements of the huge development:

Transport and parking

The current ground level parking between the Longfield centre and the tram station is set to be used for housing development.

The plans contain proposals for an active travel hub on the current ground level car park off Fairfax Street.

It includes a four level multi-storey car park.

Side elevation plans of the new travel hub

The plans state: “The relocation of car parking from the centre of the site to a new travel hub will improve the permeability of the village centre, give the village back to pedestrians and encourage active travel.

"The travel hub will contain a total of 275 spaces, including 20 accessible spaces, 26 EV charging spaces and car club provision along with parcel lockers.

“It will supporting wider active travel across Prestwich with connections to local walking and cycling routes, and easy access to frequent tram and bus services.”

New homes

The housing element of the site is concentrated on three blocks built largely on the current car park at the back of the Longfield centre.

The three blocks will contain up to 210 apartments, 72 of which will be one-bed, 129 flats will be two-bedroom and there are nine three-bed flats planned.

Developers say the aim is "high quality market and affordable homes".

The plans state: “We propose up to 210 new homes across three plots, which will encompass affordable homes and homes for first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers.

"The details of the new housing will be agreed at reserved matters stage but could include town houses and apartments with active ground floor uses, providing village centre living in one of the most sustainable and accessible locations in the borough.”

A new community hub

This building will be built as a "focal point" in the core of the development on what is now the shopping precinct.

The plans state: “The new community hub will include a new library alongside flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and arts and culture.

“The upper floors will comprise flexible space which can be occupied for office or medical use, which will enable the relocation of NHS and GP surgeries to occupy the building, subject to commercial discussions. Retail floor space is also proposed.

"The community hub will become a focal point of the village and be a significant community asset and usable space for local people.”

A new market hall with food and drink court

The market hall and "Mackie Mayor" style food court is also earmarked for the present shopping centre area and the current open space containing a water feature.

The plans state: “A new market hall will provide intimate spaces for independent retailers to thrive and grow.

“The market hall will include a high quality food hall and bar with communal seating, spilling out on to a new village square, and providing the quality of offer from independent operators that will significantly elevate the food and beverage and night time economy offer in Prestwich.

“The new market hall and retail units will seek to celebrate the independent character of Prestwich, supporting new independent and start-up businesses that build on Prestwich’s history of innovation and creativity.”

Flexible retail and commercial space

The plans said: “A significant element of flexible retail and commercial space will be provided that can cater for the requirements of local and independent traders, including both existing and new businesses.

“This flexible and independent retail offer will reflect the established history of independent trading in Prestwich and complement the high street offer, contributing to Prestwich’s diverse and successful business community.

“These spaces will be prevalent at ground floor level, providing active frontages and supporting a diverse and improved retail offer across the village.”

The village square

The village square will occupy space between the new buildings and would be used as a spill out area for the new food hall.

A new village square will include communal seating for diners at the food hall

The plans state: “A new village square and new public realm will create family friendly social places to meet and relax for the entire community.

“The square has been flexibly designed so it provides space for pop-up events such as markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.

creating a beating heart of the village that is a focus of activity and interaction.”

A CGI of the new village square

Environmental issues

Developers Prestwich Regeneration say the whole development will be low and net zero carbon by design.

They said: “Sustainability and carbon reduction is fundamental to the proposals.

“Proposed measures include new energy and water efficient buildings to minimise carbon in operation, the use of sustainable building materials to reduce upfront embodied carbon, photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. “The new buildings will also be designed to complement local architecture and celebrate Prestwich’s heritage and character.”

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Economic impact

During the construction phase on an assumed 38 month delivery period, the scheme will support 128 full time construction jobs.

Once operational the developers say it will create 335 direct jobs associated with new retail, office and community uses.

The plans state the development will generate an average gross value added per full-time worker of between £42,132 and £64,189.

Once complete, the proposed development is expected to generate between £5.2 and £14.4 million (at 2023 prices), of net additional annual gross value added.