A place
For all

We are planning to create a new beating heart for Prestwich Village that appeals to everyone. We want to create new spaces to help people and businesses to thrive, with a mix of high-quality homes and family-friendly spaces, as well as a new community hub that promotes health and wellbeing.

Your Prestwich is an ambitious £100m+ project that will cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live in the North West. While the plans are still in the early stages, we have set ten key ambitions to help us create a positive legacy in Prestwich for years to come:

Pride in place
Cultivating an inclusive place we can all be proud of

Green first
High-quality streets and spaces that link to surrounding green spaces in the village

Community led
Creating a community hub at the heart of Prestwich

Belong here
Championing Prestwich’s diverse spirit and its heritage to create a welcoming place for all

Together for good
Promoting health and wellbeing through vibrant community spaces

Collectively independent
Creating new spaces to nurture and enhance Prestwich’s strong business community

Future environments
Enhancing the environment for future generations with a low-carbon neighbourhood to support a sustainable future

Walk, run, jump
A people-first approach that promotes more active and outdoor lifestyles, through new public spaces with walking and cycling routes

Positively connected
Strengthening Prestwich’s green transport infrastructure to be safe, accessible and well connected

Local benefits
Delivering benefits for local people through investment and jobs

The regeneration of Prestwich Village will also help deliver the council’s ‘Let’s do it!’ strategy, which is a ten year plan to improve local services, deliver sustainable communities, drive economic growth and reduce deprivation. The development of the plans will be measured against seven core measures in the Let’s do it! strategy.

1. Improved quality of life
2. Improved early years development
3. Improved educational attainment
4. Increased adult skill levels and employability
5. Inclusive economic growth
6. Carbon neutrality by 2038
7. Improved digital connectivity

Our plans have been shaped using the feedback from the local community from the first community conversation earlier this year and include:

– A new community hub building, including a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture. We are also having positive discussions with the NHS and local GP practices about relocating health and GP services within the building.

– A new market hall providing smaller spaces for local retailers to thrive and grow. This includes a food hall for local food operators and communal seating that spills out onto the village square.

– Flexible retail and leisure spaces across the site, which will complement the high street and help to cater for Prestwich’s diverse business community. This includes a new gym.

– A new village square with family-friendly social places to meet and relax for all the community. The square has been flexibly designed so it provides space for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.

– Plenty of landscaped outdoor and green spaces, trees and places to wander, relax and sit. It is planned to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.

– Relocating car parking out of the centre of the site to a new multi-storey travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will contain around 350 spaces, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and parcel lockers. The proposed travel hub location is designed to help reduce traffic along Rectory Lane and provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting wider plans to promote active travel across Prestwich with connections to local walking and cycling routes, and easy access to frequent tram and bus services.

– The plans also include around 200 new homes. While the housing is not yet fully designed it is envisaged that there will be a mix of apartment sizes for affordable homes, first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers.

– New energy and water efficient buildings to minimise carbon in operation, including the use of sustainable building materials to reduce upfront embodied carbon. The new buildings are also being designed to complement local architecture and celebrate Prestwich’s heritage and character.

Our plans still need to be finalised but we are having positive discussions with the NHS and local GP practices about relocating health and GP services within the building.

We have carefully designed the spaces to ensure that we deliver a highly accessible new destination in the heart of Prestwich Village. All of the proposed new buildings, facilities and public realm will be delivered to be fully accessible andadhere with building regulations, the Equality Act and industry guidance on accessibility, alongside specific engagement we have had with the Bury Hearing Hub and Bury Society For Blind & Partially Sighted People, whom will be completing design reviews ahead of the planning submission.

Disabled car parking spaces will be included in the proposed travel hub and, in response to feedback from the first conversation, we have now designed additional car parking on Rectory Lane next to the Community Hub, for people with mobility issues.

Feedback from the first community conversation highlighted the importance of ensuring that the regeneration is sustainable.

We will deliver energy and water efficient buildings to minimise carbon in operation and seek to use sustainable building materials to reduce upfront embodied carbon.

We are planning lots of green spaces, trees, planting and things like nest boxes to make the site more biodiverse and wildlife friendly, as well as green infrastructure including sustainable urban drainage systems and electric vehicle charging points.

The regeneration will promote active travel with connections to local walking and cycling routes, cycle storage, and easy access to Prestwich’s frequent tram and bus services.

Our plans are also being developed with the aim to help Bury Council achieve its ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2038, as well as fulfil Muse’s objectives for sustainable development which include:

– Building new developments that are carbon neutral in their operation

– Delivering a net gain in biodiversity, whilst providing high quality green spaces

– Eliminating waste and improving resource efficiency through circularity

– Creating high quality spaces where people can live, work and thrive while benefiting health and wellbeing

– Delivering social value, economic and environmental benefits for the local communities we work in

– Addressing wider issues such as sustainable water consumption, meeting and exceeding industry best practice standards for sustainable development, as well as providing sustainable transport infrastructure

Following feedback and support from the first consultation, and to enable the delivery of a new large and flexible village square and market hall, we are planning to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.

We are looking at relocating car parking currently in the centre of the site to a new multi-storey travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will contain around 350 spaces, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and parcel lockers.

A Transport Assessment is being prepared to inform the strategy for travel to and from the village, which will be submitted as part of the planning application. A key part of the Assessment has been to determine the amount of car parking spaces that should be provided to ensure that the village centre will be sustainable, accessible and able to thrive without increasing congestion on the local roads.

We are continuing to review how the planned new travel hub will be managed, including whether a level of charging will be introduced. It is currently envisaged that long stay parking may require some form of charging provision, however we are still working on a number of options. We will provide more information on our plans for this when known.

By moving parking out of the Longfield Centre we want to reduce traffic passing through the site and encourage active travel options by providing easy pedestrian and cycle access, connections to local cycling and walking routes, as well as convenient links to Prestwich’s tram and bus and services.

The proposed travel hub on Fairfax Road will also include electric vehicle chargers, cycle parking, parcel lockers and other facilities designed to promote sustainable and active travel.

We will also be preparing a Travel Plan with measures to encourage residents and visitors to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to get around.

The proposed travel hub location is designed to help reduce traffic along Rectory Lane and provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting wider plans to promote active travel across Prestwich with connections to local walking and cycling routes, and easy access to frequent tram and bus services.

Relocating the car park will also free up the land required to deliver our vision for regenerating the site and creating a new destination in the heart of Prestwich Village.

The Prestwich scheme was aimed at improving the public realm, encouraging walking and cycling and creating a greener, safer environment for all road users. There would be no plans to reverse this given the current priorities around encouraging walking and cycling and the use of public transport, with the council and Transport for Greater Manchester planning to further improve pedestrian crossing on Bury New Road.

Our plans include around 200 new homes to help meet the fast-rising demand for high quality housing in the village .

While the housing is not yet fully designed it is envisaged that there will be a mix of apartment sizes for affordable homes, first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers. We also want to ensure that the new homes are designed to be highly sustainable and energy efficient, and also complement the architectural character of the village.

We are planning to deliver around 200 new homes which we expect will be a mix of apartments sizes.

Feedback from the first conversation encouraged us to celebrate Prestwich’s character and heritage.

We have carefully studied the character, materials and architecture of surrounding buildings and local heritage to draw inspiration for the design of the emerging masterplan. The design responds to the site’s setting and the unique character of the village.

We want to celebrate Prestwich’s strong arts, culture and creative history, and so we are planning to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.

Deciding the exact detail will form part of the detailed design development and we welcome any thoughts and feedback to inform this.

We are working on how we plan to improve signage and wayfinding as part of the regeneration and will be able to provide more information on this once our designs are finalised.

The redevelopment of the Longfield Centre will require the deconstruction of the existing buildings.

We are continuing to engage with existing Longfield Centre tenants about their plans for the future and interest in being part of the scheme.

One of our key ambitions for the regeneration of the Longfield Centre is to nurture and enhance Prestwich’s strong business community by complementing the high street with new flexible spaces that meet the needs of independent traders.

We are currently targeting the vacant possession of all Longfield Centre units by late 2024 / early 2025. By this point all leases will have expired.

Yes – up to our planned vacant possession of the site, which is planned for late 2024 / early 2025.

Feedback from the first conversation asked us to prioritise attracting local and independent businesses and provide spaces for businesses to locate during construction.

We are proposing to provide a range of retail unit sizes, including smaller spaces that would be suitable for independent operators, such as in the Market Hall.

We are continuing to engage with existing Longfield Centre tenants about their plans for the future and interest in being part of the scheme. We are also looking at the potential to provide an exciting new temporary village space during construction so that the village can continue to be a bustling place for food, drink and shopping.

It is too early in the process to provide this information but we are delivering the scheme with the aim of providing a number of retail and leisure spaces that have accessible price points for independent businesses.

We are continuing to engage with existing Longfield Centre tenants about their plans for the future and interest in being part of the scheme.

We are also looking at the potential to provide an exciting new temporary village space during construction so that the village can continue to be a bustling place for food, drink and shopping.

We will be able to provide more information on this later in the planning process and you can register for updates about the regeneration on our website.

We will be able to provide more information on this later in the planning process and you can register for updates about the plans on our website.

Early 2023
Initial community conversation on our vision and concept masterplan

Spring 2023
Refining the plans

Autumn 2023
Consultation on the detailed plans

Winter 2023
Planning application submission

Mid-late 2024
Anticipated start of construction

As part of planning the delivery of the project, we will prepare construction management and phasing plans, which will prioritise minimising disruption for local residents and businesses. This will include putting in place a variety of measures such as considerate work hours, and noise and dust mitigation measures.

The construction works will be undertaken by a reputable construction company. The contractor will be required to meet the requirements of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP), which details the phasing, logistics and impact om the environment. The CEMP will be reviewed and approved by the Council’s Planning Department before works commence on site. The CEMP will cover all aspects of construction, including but not limited to noise, air quality, dust, vehicle movements, site welfare, etc.

Following Bury Council’s purchase of the Longfield Centre, the Council and Muse have entered into a joint venture – the Prestwich Regeneration LLP – to deliver the project. The joint venture vehicle was established in October 2022 ahead of launching the community conversation on the plans. The Prestwich Regeneration LLP will appoint Muse as its Development Manager to provide services to The Prestwich Regeneration LLP and enable it to deliver the regeneration benefits.

Muse is a nationwide placemaker with almost 40 years of experience creating mixed-use communities across the UK. We have a track record of leading complex, mixed-use regeneration gives us the experience to deliver successful places, with the emphasis on sustainability, community and quality. We’re working with partners in 36 places across the UK from Bradford to Brentford, from Salford to Lewisham, with close to 2,500 new homes and 968,400 sq ft of workspace currently on site and a gross development value of over £1.34bn.

We combine local insight with the resources and capabilities of a nationwide organisation. Our regional businesses are based in Manchester, Leeds, London and Birmingham.

As part of Morgan Sindall Group, we have the financial strength of a leading UK construction and regeneration group with an annual revenue of £3.6bn.

Our focus is on strong partnerships in the many places we work across the UK and our national strategic joint ventures, The English Cities Fund – with Legal & General and Homes England – and Waterside Places with the Canal & River Trust.

Both parties have shared regeneration ambitions for Prestwich and recognised that by working together in partnership this would accelerate progress.

Muse was selected as a JV partner following a commercial and investment-based decision by the council, which was set out in its cabinet report dated October 2021. Bury Council appointed Muse pursuant to powers under the Localism Act 2011 (s1), the Local Government Act 2003 (s12) and case law, to enable the regeneration of Prestwich Village.

Muse and Bury Council formed the Prestwich Regeneration LLP Joint Venture in October 2022 to accelerate the regeneration of Prestwich Village.

The regeneration of the Longfield Centre is being delivered as a joint venture between Bury Council and Muse. Muse will act as development manager for the Joint Venture to deliver the regeneration works. Once the regeneration and development works are complete, Bury Council will own parts of the development and have responsibility for its operation and management. Other parts of the development such as the residential will be owned by long-term investors and private purchasers.

Our proposals will invest £100m+ over the course of the 10 year joint venture agreement, which will deliver regeneration, economic growth, social value and environmental benefits for Prestwich and help to cement the village as one of the best places to live in the North West.

The project will be delivered in a number of phases. We anticipate that the first phase will include:

– Demolition of the Longfield Centre and site preparation

– Community hub with opportunities a new library, spaces for community events, clubs, art and culture, and the provision of key local services. We are also having positive discussions with the NHS and local GP practices about relocating health and GP services within the building.

– Wider infrastructure, including utilities, public realm and village square, landscaping and green spaces

– Sustainable transport hub green

– Retail space that is suitable for independent businesses

The scheme will also include the delivery of new high quality homes and additional leisure and retail spaces that will be brought forward to complement the village’s thriving high street. The number and timing of individual phases may change as we develop our plans in more detail, and will also be influenced by wider factors such as market conditions and demand.

The council has agreed in principle to provide the funding required to deliver the first phase of the scheme. Given that a high-level design is not yet fully complete, it is not possible to confirm the capital cost of delivery of the first phase at the moment.

Muse has a long track record of delivering a positive legacy, creating opportunities for communities to prosper economically, physically, socially and sustainably. It’s a key pillar of our combined social impact, sustainability and placemaking strategy, known as ‘Better by Muse’.

We’ve created guidelines to make sure that what we are doing together results in better outcomes for the people who work in, visit and live in the places we create.

Through our partnership approach, and genuine engagement, we know we can enable positive change that is truly transformational, creating resilient and sustainable neighbourhoods that thrive.

At the start of any programme of regeneration, we listen to community need and use that to shape a social impact strategy, embedding ambitions into the design of a place and into the procurement of the supply chain, so everyone is aligned. From there, we monitor and report on social impact outcomes and outputs.

We use our own industry-leading software called Social Value back, developed with our parent company, Morgan Sindall Group plc, in collaboration with Simetrica, the recognised global leaders in measuring social impact.