'Game changing' Northern Gateway development set to take step forward

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 approved by Rochdale and Bury councils.

Councillors will be asked to adopt a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the 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.

Councillors will also be asked to endorse a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) as the preferred delivery vehicle for Northern Gateway, to cement the partnership between Bury and Rochdale Councils, and enable the accelerated delivery of the programme, by providing a clear framework and resource arrangements to support. Approval of the name and boundary of an MDC, and subsequently approval to consult on an MDC will also be requested.

Bury Council’s cabinet will consider the proposals on Wednesday 5 March, while the plan will go to Rochdale Council’s cabinet on 18 March.

 

 

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.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The Northern Gateway is a crucial part of the Atom Valley, a once in a generation opportunity to substantially transform the economy of our borough and create thousands of new high-quality jobs, homes and improved transport links.

“The adoption of a planning framework for the Northern Gateway, alongside the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), both have the potential to further raise the profile of this important project and help it attract even more funding and investment. That’s why we are keen to explore these options, alongside our partners at Bury Council, so we can continue to move this fantastic project forward and really keep the momentum going.”

 

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.