PLANS to take forward Greater Manchester’s biggest proposed employment development, which will generate more than 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost, are set to be considered by Bury and Rochdale councils.
Councillors will be asked to approve consultation on a Supplementary Development Plan (SPD) for the game-changing Northern Gateway project. This development of 1.2m square metres of employment space straddles the Bury and Rochdale border close to junction 19 of the M62.
An SPD supports development by establishing planning principles for a particular area, which will be taken into consideration when planning applications are determined. Having an SPD in place can also make it easier to bring in external funding for a project. The Northern Gateway Development Framework SPD will include details about the site, such as the proposed infrastructure, phasing and timescales, the design principles and the benefits it is expected to deliver.
The Northern Gateway covers employment sites at Heywood and Pilsworth, alongside housing at Simister and Bowlee, although the SPD focuses solely on the employment sites. Both areas were approved for development as part of the Places for Everyone plan. If approved by the cabinets of both Rochdale and Bury councils, the SPD will go out to public consultation, with residents and businesses encouraged to find out more and feed in their views.
Rochdale Council’s cabinet will consider the proposals on Tuesday 29 October, while the plan will go Bury Council’s cabinet on Wednesday 6 November.
The Northern Gateway is part of the wider Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, which aims to create a hub for high tech industries, innovations and economic growth in the North of Greater Manchester. It gives boroughs like Rochdale and Bury a once in a lifetime opportunity to create tens of thousands of well paid, highly skilled jobs which will substantially boost the local and regional economy.
Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The Northern Gateway, as part of the wider Atom Valley, presents us with a transformative opportunity to rebalance the Greater Manchester economy and bring thousands of high quality jobs, improved transport links to surrounding areas and increased prosperity to the Rochdale borough and beyond.
“I’m delighted that we will be considering the next steps for this important project and, if the proposals are passed, I would encourage our residents to get involved and find out more.”
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “This is a true game- changer, a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring jobs and investment to our part of the world. It will play a crucial role in building prosperous communities in Bury and the wider area for generations to come.”
More details about Atom Valley can be found here: www.atom-valley.co.uk