Multi-million pound Northern Gateway development to take step forward

Plans to take forward Greater Manchester’s biggest proposed employment development, which could 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 Planning Document (SPD) for the game-changing Northern Gateway project.

This development of 1.2m sq m 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.

 

Atom Valley
Atom Valley is a Mayoral Development Zone (MDZ) across Rochdale, Bury and Oldham. The zone is focused on three sites - the Northern Gateway (which straddles Bury and Rochdale near the M66 and M62), Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale, and Stakehill in Rochdale and Oldham. The sites have the potential to accommodate 1.6m sq m of new employment space, create around 20,000 jobs and deliver 7,000 new homes.

A new MDZ board has been set up to coordinate the project, chaired by leading economist Paul Ormerod, who was born and brought up in Rochdale and is also chair of Rochdale Development Agency, with representatives from local and national authorities, central government, and the private sector.

The ambition is to create a hub for innovation in advanced materials, manufacturing, and green technologies, with world-leading facilities and opportunities for local residents to access good jobs, training, and skills.

 

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.”