Local people are being invited to have their say on plans for Greater Manchester’s biggest and most significant proposed employment development.
Set within the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, Northern Gateway will create a dynamic and nationally significant employment destination, driving jobs and investment in the northern boroughs and supporting a rebalancing of the city region’s economy.
The site which was allocated in the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone (PfE) joint development plan is located at a strategically important intersection around the M60, M62 and M66 motorways, straddling the Bury and Rochdale border.
The Northern Gateway Development Vehicle (NGDV), a 50/50 partnership between Russell LDP and Harworth Group is bringing forward a planning application for an early phase of the Northern Gateway employment site which covers around half of the overall proposed floorspace.
As one of the UK’s most important employment destinations it is set to attract national and international businesses and drive investment in the local area. Creating a hub for innovation, the plans will deliver a long-term legacy, driving skills and creating high-quality jobs for generations to come.
The first phase could see around 9,990 high-quality jobs created (with the wider employment site set to deliver around 20,000 jobs), a £570 million GVA boost to Greater Manchester’s economy each year and annual business rates of around £20 million to support council services.
The plans include:
- Around 600,000 sq. m of employment space in advanced manufacturing, industrial and logistics – from start-ups to international businesses
- Around 5,000 sq. m of supporting uses potentially including retail, cafés/restaurants, a hotel, office space, conference and training facilities and community uses
- Landscaping and green, open space for recreation and to improve local biodiversity
- Active travel routes linking existing and new homes with jobs
- Sustainability at the heart of the design, contributing to Greater Manchester’s commitment to be net zero carbon by 2038
A spokesperson for the Northern Gateway Development Vehicle said: “Northern Gateway will be one of the largest, most significant employment destinations in the UK. By creating a hub for innovation it’s set to attract national and international businesses and supercharge the Greater Manchester economy. The site will deliver opportunities for people living in Bury, Rochdale and beyond with thousands of high-quality jobs and a long-term legacy of skills. Alongside advanced manufacturing jobs, from skilled trades to R&AI and robotics, the site could offer high-quality logistics jobs like project managers, IT operatives, sales teams and engineers.”
The consultation runs until 17 th February 2025 and the NGDV team will be hosting two drop- in events on:
- Weds 29 th January, 3-7pm: The Old Police Station Business Centre, Heywood, OL10 1AQ
- Tues 4 th February, 3-7pm: Pike Fold Golf Club, Hills Lane, Unsworth, Bury, BL9 8QP
An online Q&A will be held on Mon 3rd February, 6-7pm and people can sign up on the website www.northerngatewayconsultation.co.uk where they can also find out more and fill in a questionnaire about the plans. Further information can be found by following social channels (Instagram: Northern_Gateway_consult and Facebook: Northern Gateway) or contacting the team at info@northerngatewayconsultation.co.uk.
The NGDV plans to submit an outline planning application to both Rochdale and Bury Councils in the spring and expect a decision later in the year.
In Places for Everyone, the Northern Gateway allocation is made up of two development sites. The employment-led destination is referenced as JP Allocation 1.1: Heywood / Pilsworth, with a residential site referenced as JP Allocation 1.2: Simister and Bowlee. Bury and Rochdale Councils recently consulted on a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the employment-led allocation (JPA 1.1) to provide more detailed policy on what should
be developed.
The NGDV is also in the early stages of considering proposals for the 1.2 residential allocation, which will follow at a later date to the employment site and also be subject to an SPD and separate consultation.