Frequently Asked Questions

The Plans

 

What are you aiming to achieve by regenerating Prestwich Village?

Your Prestwich is an ambitious £100m+ plan by placemaker Muse and Bury Council to transform the Longfield Centre into a new village centre and create a thriving destination for shopping, dining, and community events.

We’ve set ten key ambitions to help us create a positive legacy for Prestwich in the 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

What is proposed for for the centre of Prestwich village?

Your Prestwich recently secured £6.8 million funding from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund. This means that the next phase of the regeneration – to deliver new community spaces and homes – can move forward.

We’re now preparing a planning application for this next phase. Since the plans were approved, we’ve been refining the masterplan to make the most of the site. This includes:

 

  • A community hub: Featuring a larger library with flexible community spaces and independent leisure and retail businesses located on the ground floor.
  • A larger village square: Designed as a lively destination for events, markets and festivals, with family-friendly social places for the whole community to meet and relax. The arrangement of the buildings has also been reworked to allow more sunlight into the village square, creating an inviting public space.
  • A market hall: Providing smaller, high-quality 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 spaces across the site: Designed to compliment the high street and cater for Prestwich’s diverse community of independent businesses.
  • Landscaped outdoor and green spaces: Including trees and places to wander, relax and sit. The existing fountain will be removed and new public art installations will be incorporated throughout the development. The arrival experience into Prestwich by tram will also be enhanced, with landscaping that connects with green spaces in the village.
  • New parking and transport arrangements: We’re building a new Travel Hub off Fairfax Road, featuring electric vehicle charging points and extensive space for bikes. The Travel Hub will be the first part of the overall plan to reach completion, currently expected in summer 2026.
  • 248 new homes: This will include a mix of types of home from affordable homes to those for first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers. The number of homes has increased by merging two of the buildings, while keeping them the same height and retaining pedestrian links.

How many homes are you planning to deliver?

By merging two of the buildings but keeping them the same height we’ve been able to increase the number of homes from 200 to 248, whilst maintaining pedestrian links through the site, and reducing construction impacts.

How tall will the new buildings be?

We have sensitively designed the buildings to ensure they remain in keeping with the local area and maximise daylight into the public spaces.

The travel hub, which is currently under construction, is 12.3 metres above ground level facing Fairfax Road.

For the new residential and buildings, we have stuck to the principles approved in the outline planning consent. The buildings will be Ground Floor plus 5 storeys.

 

Crucially, while we have combined two of the residential buildings to allow us to deliver more homes, we have not increased the height. We remain committed to the principle that all new buildings will be smaller than the existing Radius apartment block next to the Longfield Centre.

Our architects have also used specific design techniques, such as positioning the buildings on an angular orientation, to help break up the massing of the buildings and reduce their visual impact.

How will the regeneration complement and celebrate Prestwich’s heritage?

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, responding 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.

You can read more about how the development will celebrate Prestwich’s heritage by reading our heritage report we submitted as part of the planning application.

Planning & Timeline

 

What stage are the plans currently at?

A hybrid planning application for the regeneration of the Longfield Centre site was approved by Bury Council in September 2024. This application gained detailed consent for the first phase, including the travel hub, alongside outline consent for the future phases which include new homes and community spaces.

Your Prestwich recently secured £6.8 million funding from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund. This means that the next phase of the regeneration – to deliver new community spaces and homes – can move forward.

Did the plans change after they were submitted?

Yes. Updated designs, mainly to the travel hub

Since the submission, there have been several design changes, with updated drawings and plans submitted to the council. The main changes are to the internal design of the proposed travel hub on Fairfax Road to increase efficient use of the space.

In practice, this means:

  • A more efficient arrangement inside the building, meaning the number of parking spaces can be increased from 275 to 301.
  • The distance between the building and neighbouring properties at Highfield Place has been increased by just over a metre.
  • Changes to the façade as a result of improved natural ventilation.

What are the phases for delivering the regeneration?

The project is being delivered in distinct phases to manage construction effectively. The first phase is already underway, with the new travel hub off Fairfax Road currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2026. Alongside this, we are preparing to begin the demolition of the Longfield Centre to clear the site for the wider regeneration.

The next phase, which is the subject of our current planning work, will deliver the heart of the new village. This includes 248 new homes, a Market Hall, and flexible retail spaces designed to support independent businesses.

This phase also features a significantly expanded village square and a new community library, which will now be located within the retail hub. Finally, our masterplan includes a dedicated plot for a new health centre as a future phase, safeguarding this space for the NHS to bring forward when they are in a position to do so.

What are the timescales for regenerating Prestwich Village?

Spring 2025
Construction of the travel hub began.

Early 2026
Demolition of the Longfield Centre begins.

February 2026
Submission of the hybrid planning application for the next phase.

Mid-2026
The new Travel Hub opens.

Late 2026
Anticipated start of construction for the new village centre homes and retail spaces.

When will the travel hub open?

The travel hub is nearing completion and we anticipate it will open in the summer of 2026.

Funding & Construction Delivery

 

How much is the JV investing in the scheme?

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.

Who is funding the first phase?

The council has agreed to provide the funding required to deliver the first phase of the scheme. It is not possible to confirm the capital cost of delivery of the first phase at the moment.

Who is delivering the plans?

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.

Who will be doing the main construction work?

We have appointed Vinci Building to construct the travel hub.

They have a proven track record of construction throughout the UK and aim to garner a strong relationship with the local community throughout the project’s development.

We will announce construction partners for the other phases of the regeneration in due course.

How do I get in touch with Vinci about a construction matter?

If you have a question related to day-to-day construction work or how the work may impact you, we encourage you to get in touch with Vinci directly by contacting Adam Lynch – adam.lynch@vinci-building.co.uk

How was Muse selected as the JV?

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.

When was the JV officially formed?

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

Who will own the development once it's completed?

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.

Community & Local Impact

 

How are you going to manage disruption?

We understand that undertaking major construction work in a busy village centre causes disruption, and we are working hard to minimise the impact on local residents and businesses.

With the construction of the travel hub well underway, we have had to implement temporary road closures on Fairfax Road to ensure the safety of the public and our workforce. To help keep traffic moving, we are installing additional signage and a ‘keep clear’ box on Bury New Road, and we are targeting a phased re-opening of Fairfax Road in the coming months.

 

For the upcoming demolition of the Longfield Centre and the construction of the new homes, we will continue to adhere to a strict Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

This plan, agreed with the Council, sets out clear controls for noise, dust, and working hours to ensure we remain a considerate neighbour throughout the delivery of the project.

What is going to happen to the walk-in centre and GP?

Our masterplan safeguards a specific plot for a new health centre. While the NHS has confirmed it is not currently in a position to relocate its services, this reserved space ensures that a modern facility can be delivered in the heart of the village as soon as they are ready to proceed.

How accessible will the development be?

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 and adhere with building regulations, the Equality Act and industry guidance on accessibility.

We have also undertaken specific engagement with with the Bury Hearing Hub and Bury Society For Blind & Partially Sighted People, whom will be completing design reviews ahead of the planning submission.

In the travel hub, we are providing:

 

  • 254 standard parking bays
  • 30 EV bays
  • 1 EV accessible bay
  • 14 Accessible bays
  • 2 car club bays

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.

In terms of the homes, more details will be released in a Reserved Matters application which we will bring forward later this year.

How are you going to manage over-looking and loss of privacy for nearby residents of Highfield Road and Highfield Place?

The travel hub has been designed to minimise visual impact, the potential for overlooking and loss of privacy for nearby residents. As part of this we are planning to deliver a green buffer made up of new trees and planting in the areas between Highfield Road / Highfield Place and the travel hub.

Other key design changes we made included lowering the height by removing a full floor and moving the building further from the boundary.

None of the proposed new buildings in the masterplan will be taller than the Radius building.

What is happening to the current fountain/artwork installation?

Following support for the approach during consulation, the plan is to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.

What is Muse’s record of delivering social value in the communities it works in?

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.

What are the social value benefits of the project?

We want to create a positive legacy in Prestwich for years to come. Our plans will deliver lots of social and economic benefits for the local community. Muse will also use an industry leading tool, Social Value Bank, to help measure and maximise the social value of the project.

 

  • £100m investment in the local economy.
  • Create 130 construction jobs and support around 350 jobs in the village centre following the redevelopment.
  • Increase spending in the village centre and generate £850,000 per year in additional business rates and council tax.

Will the proposed travel hub location increase anti-social behaviour?

A Crime Impact Statement was submitted with the application which outlined measures that the development will need to follow in order to manage any risk of crime or anti-social behaviour.

Sustainability & The Environment

 

How sustainable are the plans?

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 well-being.
  • 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.

What will the biodiversity net gain of the regeneration be?

  • The public realm has been designed with nature considerations at its core. The design is being developed to enhance and develop new habitat types to help deliver a biodiversity net gain alongside the creation of places and spaces that people enjoy spending time within.
  • The ambition of the design is to exceed the 10% figure within the Environment Act. The team have set themselves an aspirational target for the development proposals of between 15-20%.
  • The landscape design proposes significant areas of shrub planting, a target of over 100 new trees along with a number rain gardens. The team will work alongside the ecologists to provide species that maximise habitat diversity and are resilient to longer term climate change.
  • We are also looking at the potential of delivering green roof terraces and things like nest boxes.

How are you promoting active and sustainable travel?

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

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

Will the travel hub increase emissions and noise pollution in the immediate area around the proposed site, including Highfield Road and Highfield Place?

Emissions and noise pollution associated with the Travel Hub has been extensively monitored and analysed as part of the wider Environmental Impact Assessment submitted with the planning application.

Extensive mitigation has been implemented to prevent noise and air pollution affecting the local area. You can read more about these measures in the Construction and Environment Management Plan (CEMP) here.

How sustainable will the new buildings be and what sustainable credentials will they have?

Bury Council has declared a climate emergency and set a target to be carbon neutral by 2038 and Muse is committed to building new developments that are carbon neutral in their operation as part of the company’s sustainability strategy.

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. The regeneration will include lots of new green spaces and planting to make the site more biodiverse, alongside green infrastructure including sustainable urban drainage systems and electric vehicle charging points.

Our plans are being shaped with the aim of achieving excellent on the Building Research Establishment Assessment Methodology (BREEAM).

We are developing the residential elements of the design with the Passivhaus methodology in mind. This includes looking at incorporating improved thermal insulation, reduced air permeability and solar controlled glazing. We are also looking at developing a fossil fuel-free services strategy incorporating high efficiency and sustainable systems such as PV and waste water heat recovery systems.

 

Transport & Parking

 

Why is it called a travel hub?

The travel hub will be a modern, forward thinking parking solution for the village that suits various modes of transport. It will include:

• 254 standard parking bays
• 30 electrical bays
• 1 electrical disabled bay
• 14 standard disabled bays
• 2 City Club parking bays
• 76 cycle storage spaces

The City Club parking bays will allow people the flexibility to hire a car for the day and return it to the travel hub once their done – perfect for those that need a car at short notice.

What will happen to parking at the Longfield Centre and what will be the impact on local roads?

We are relocating car parking currently in the centre of the site to a new multi-storey travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will contain 301 spaces, electric vehicle charging points, and cycle storage.

A Transport Assessment was 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.

There will be several temporary road closures during its construction which we will communicate in advance.

Will the new Travel Hub contain free parking or will users have to pay?

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, however we are still working on a number of options. We will provide more information on our plans for this when known.

How much parking will be provided and will any parking spaces be lost?

Using the detailed parking surveys that were completed during the planning process, we are delivering 301 spaces in the new travel hub, including spaces for EV charging points.

We are also proposing 41 additional car parking spaces across the site, which will be a mix of accessible, on-street and drop off spaces, as well as private parking for new homes.

How many storeys will the new Travel Hub be and how will this compare to the heights of the Old Lady of Grace Church and Radius buildings?

In order to maintain the current levels of car parking in the village, the new travel hub needs to be three storeys. The building design and heights will be in-keeping with the village and maximise access to natural light.

Careful consideration has been given to the relationship of the proposed travel hub to the Old Lady of Grace Church. The travel hub is 12.3 metres above ground level facing Fairfax Road, and the north side is 13.980 metres above the current Fairfax level. None of the proposed new buildings in the masterplan will be taller than the Radius building.

These key changes were a direct result of stakeholder feedback from local residents during the consultation.

How much disabled parking are you proposing?

There are a total of 342 parking spaces in total, with 301 in the new Travel Hub at Fairfax Road.

In the Travel Hub 301 space travel hub, there are a total of 15 disabled bays.

In response to feedback from the first conversation we are also planning an additional 25 spaces around the site located close to community facilities.

Why are you planning to move parking out of the Longfield Centre and build a Travel Hub on Fairfax Road?

The travel hub’s 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.

How are you going to manage over-looking and loss of privacy for nearby residents of Highfield Road and Highfield Place?

The travel hub has been designed to minimise visual impact, the potential for overlooking and loss of privacy for nearby residents. As part of this we are planning to deliver a green buffer made up of new trees and planting in the areas between Highfield Road / Highfield Place and the travel hub. Other key design changes we made included lowering the height by removing a full floor and moving the building further from the boundary.

None of the proposed new buildings in the masterplan will be taller than the Radius building.

Why did the council make Bury New Road in the village a single carriageway, and could this be reversed as part of the plans?

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.

How will the regeneration improve signage and wayfinding?

The new masterplan has been developed to enhance wayfinding around the village centre with improved connectivity in both north-south and east-west directions and easy pedestrian accessibility to the proposed travel hub, Metrolink stop and Bury New Road.

We are also planning a new wayfinding strategy, which will include signage. We will provide more details once our design plans are finalised, ensuring that the village centre is easily navigable and accessible.

 

 

 

What makes the travel hub different to a normal car park?

The travel hub is a modern, forward thinking parking solution for the village that suits various modes of transport. Once complete, the travel hub will provide:

• 254 standard parking bays
• 30 electrical bays
• 1 electrical disabled bay
• 14 standard disabled bays
• 2 City Club parking bays
• 76 cycle storage spaces

The City Club parking bays will allow people the flexibility to hire a car for the day return it to travel hub once their done – perfect for those that need a car at short notice.

 

 

 

Tenants & Businesses

 

What will happen to the current tenants of the Longfield Centre?

We are planning to start the demolition of the Longfield Centre in the next couple of months to pave the way for the wider regeneration. To facilitate this, we are currently working with the remaining tenants to secure vacant possession of the site.

As previously communicated, some units – including Budget Savers, Card Factory, Iceland, and Percivals – needed to close earlier than planned due to health and safety concerns regarding the deterioration of the centre’s roof.

We are continuing to engage with local businesses about their future plans and interest in the new scheme. The updated masterplan includes a new Market Hall and a flexible retail hub specifically designed to provide high-quality spaces for local and independent retailers to thrive.

When will tenants be moved out of current units?

We are working with the remaining tenants to secure vacant possession of the site. We plan to start the demolition of the Longfield Centre in the next couple of months to pave the way for the wider regeneration, so all units will need to be vacated ahead of this work commencing.

Due to a detoriation of part of the centre’s roof, four units – Budget Savers, Card Factory, Iceland, and Percivals – have needed to close earlier than originally planned for health and safety reasons

 

Will tenants be able to renew their leases when it expires?

Tenants were given the opportunity to extend their lease up until the vacant possession of the site which is planned for this year.

How will the regeneration attract local and independent businesses?

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.

How much will rent be for the new units?

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.

How do the proposed floor spaces compare with what we currently have at the Longfield Centre?

In response to feedback from the first conversation, we’ve increased the amount of retail space and removed one of the proposed residential buildings, which has provided space for a larger market building, and a better connection to the planned village square.

Where will tenants go when construction gets underway, and will there be any meanwhile use space available for businesses and visitors while the scheme is being delivered?

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

I am interested in taking a unit. How do I start this conversation?

We encourage people to register their interest in taking a retail space via our website where you will receive updated as soon as they come available.

What is the decision making process for selecting future tenants?

We encourage people to register their interest in taking a retail space via our website where you will receive updated as soon as they come available.

Is the Istanbul Grill part of the regeneration?

It is not anticipated the Istanbul Grill will be impacted by the regeneration of the Longfield Centre.

Temporary Road Closure

 

Where is the temporary closure taking place?

A short stretch of Fairfax Road between Heys Road and just after Rectory Lane.

How long will the closure be in place?

The closure will run from Monday 13 October until July 2026. We will be regularly communicating with people throughout this period, and we’ll be working hard to minimise disruption where we can.

Why does part of Fairfax Road need to close?

We are entering a critical phase of construction which will see large quantities of heavy steel and other materials being transported to site. The temporary closure is a vital health and safety measure to keep local people safe.

 The team have worked closely with Bury Council’s highways department to find the best solution to allow the travel hub to be delivered in the safest and most cost-effective way possible to enable future phases of the regeneration plans to come forward.

Why has this diversion route been chosen?

We’ve chosen this route to avoid traffic passing through residential roads and instead maintain the flow of traffic through main roads. Traffic flows will be actively monitored, and additional measures will be put in place if required.

The Temporary Traffic Regulation Order says the road will re-open in October, is this true?

We recently submitted the relevant legal paperwork to Bury Council to enable us to close the road, called a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO). This states that the order will be in place until October 2026, however please note, this doesn’t mean the road will be closed for this duration. This is just to provide flexibility in case of any unforeseen delays. We’re hopeful that we can complete the work by July 2026 and we will be regularly keeping people updated as the work progresses.

Could the materials be transported in smaller quantities to lessen the disruption?

No, this period of work requires delivery of large steelwork that can only be transported by using specialist vehicles. By closing this small stretch of road, it allows us to transport these materials more efficiently through less vehicle journeys, which also helps us reduce impact on the environment and our carbon footprint.

How will you be mitigating disruption to bus routes around the village?

We have been working closely with TfGM to inform them about the closure to give them enough notice to amend their routes during the week. You can find these changes on their website. At weekends, bus routes will operate as normal.

Will the road be open at weekends when no work will be taking place?

We have developed a practical gated solution that allows the road to be fully reopened at the weekend from 5pm Friday to 7am Monday morning. Outside of these times the road must remain closed.

There will several weekends during the closure that the road will not reopen Friday to Monday, with the first planned in November. This is to carry out associated utility works on Fairfax Road by the entrance to the site. Further information will be communicated in advance.

Will pedestrian access be maintained?

Yes. While Fairfax Road will be closed off. A signed diversion will be in place underneath the tramline off Rectory Lane, providing access to the Longfield Centre and the wider village centre.

I live on Highfield Road. Will I still be able to access Bury New Road from Fairfax Road?

Yes, the entrance to Highfield Road from Fairfax Road will be open as usual.

How will businesses be impacted?

Service yard deliveries into the Longfield Centre and access to the car park via St Mary’s Road of Rectory Lane will remain open. We are continuing to engage with existing Longfield Centre tenants regarding the development of the wider regeneration of the village.

Was there another way you could have carried out the work without closing the road?

After considering a number of alternatives, we selected the option that offers the highest level of safety while delivering best value for the project. To ensure that the disruption is only during the week, we have developed a practical gated solution that allows the road to be fully reopened at the weekend.

Will I still be able to access the health centre?

The Prestwich Health Centre will be open as normal, and access will not be affected.

Why do you need to keep Fairfax Road closed during the weekend?

As we are entering a key stage of the travel hub build, we will need to close Fairfax Road to allow the construction team to safely carry out essential underground service work, which will include digging large holes in the middle of the road to install new electricity and water lines.

These weekend road closures form part of a carefully planned approach agreed with Bury Council’s highways department to ensure that the travel hub construction can proceed safely and efficiently.

When will the road be open again during weekends?

The road will reopen from 5pm Friday 28 November until 7am Monday 1 December – and will continue to remain open over the following weekends.

Are there any more weekend road closures planned?

Yes. Further weekend closures are expected in mid-March 2026, but dates will be confirmed closer to the time in line with construction progress.

Will pedestrian and vehicle access be maintained?

Yes. While Fairfax Road will be closed off. A signed diversion will be in place underneath the tramline off Rectory Lane, providing access to the Longfield Centre and the wider village centre.

A formal vehicle diversion route will also be clearly signposted for all drivers. Visitors to the Longfield Centre will still be able to access the Longfield Centre car park from Rectory Lane off St Mary’s Road, which remains open.

How will you be mitigating disruption to bus routes around the village?

We have been working closely with TfGM to inform them about the closure to give them enough notice to amend their routes during the week. You can find these changes on their website.

The New Masterplan

Why have the plans changed since the outline planning permission was granted?

In 2024, we received outline planning permission, which means the principle of the development was approved. Since planning permission was granted, we have refined the masterplan to make the most of the site. This includes:

• Merging two of the buildings but keeping them the same height to increase the number of homes from 200 to up to 250, whilst maintaining pedestrian links through the site, and reducing construction impacts.

• We’ve reworked the arrangement of the buildings, which has allowed us to open up the village square and allow more sunlight in, creating a larger, more open and inviting public space for events, markets and festivals.

• Plenty of green spaces, trees and places to wander, relax and sit across the masterplan.

• Maintaining and improving a strong connection to public transport offers, such as the tram stop and local bus links, and through to the wider village. The community hub will feature a larger library with flexible community spaces and independent leisure and retail businesses located on the ground floor. An information session on the library’s temporary relocation is coming soon. Look for posters around the village for further details.

• Working closely with our NHS partners, we are helping to shape a joint service offer across Prestwich that will deliver

• Modern, fit for the future health facilities. Whilst this part of the project is still in development, there will be no change to existing service provision and patients will be able to benefit from the wider improvements. Redevelopment of the NHS site will be delivered at a time that works best for them.

Are the new buildings taller than in the previous approved plans?

The maximum building heights remain the same as those approved in the outline planning application. We have achieved the increase in the number of homes by altering the footprint and layout of the buildings – specifically by merging two blocks – rather than building upwards. The buildings remain lower in height than the existing Radius apartment block.

What is a "Hybrid" planning application?

A hybrid planning application allows different parts of a site to be considered at different levels of detail within a single submission.

For this application, we are submitting detailed plans for the new homes, retail, leisure and community spaces. We are asking for approval on the final layout, design, and materials for these elements to begin construction as soon as possible.

We are also submitting an outline application for the plot earmarked for the future Health Centre. This seeks approval for the principle of a building in this location, while leaving the specific design details to be determined later.

Community Hub & Village Square

What has happened to the separate Community Hub building?

To make the most of the site, we’ve decided to relocate the community hub which will now feature a larger library with flexible community spaces and independent leisure and retail businesses located on the ground floor.

This has also allowed us to create a bigger village square and make it a more welcoming place to spend time in.

Where will the new library be located now?

The new library will be located on the first floor of the community hub, but will be made bigger and integrated with the new independent retail and market spaces below.

Is the new library smaller than what was previously proposed?

The new library is larger than the previous proposal. By moving the library on to the first floor of the community hub, we have increased the amount of floor space available for the library and community use, creating a modern and flexible facility.

How has the Village Square changed in this new design?

The Village Square has been significantly improved compared to the original plans. By redesigning the adjacent residential building, we have increased the size of the square from approximately 1,200 sq m to around 1,700 sq m. This new layout also ensures the square benefits from more sunlight throughout the day.

How does the design of the buildings reflect local heritage and architecture?

The design of the new buildings has been largely shaped by the feedback we received from the community during the previous consultation. This included taking the character, materials and architecture of surrounding buildings and local heritage to draw inspiration for the design, responding to the site’s setting and the unique character of the village.

More information about the building’s design and they’re influence, can be found in the heritage report submitted alongside the planning application.

How sustainable will the homes be?

We are developing the residential elements of the design with the sustainability methodology in mind. This includes looking at incorporating improved thermal insulation, reduced air permeability and solar controlled glazing.

We are also looking at developing a fossil fuel-free services strategy incorporating high efficiency and sustainable systems such as PV and waste water heat recovery systems.

Are you including any on-site renewable energy generation?

We’re developing a fossil fuel-free services strategy incorporating high efficiency and sustainable systems such as PV and waste water heat recovery systems.

What public parking is provided within the village centre?

Visitors will be able to park in the travel hub, which will proivde 301 spaces – replacing the former Fairfax Road car park. The travel hub will be a modern, forward-thinking parking solution for the village that suits various modes of transport.

Once complete, the travel hub will provide:

 

  • 254 standard bays
  • 30 electrical bays
  • 1 electrical disabled bay
  • 14 standard disabled bays
  • 76 cycle storage spaces
  • 2 City Club parking bays

Will the new homes lead to parking on local roads?

A Transport Assessment was submitted as part of the outline planning application in 2024. 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.

Alongside the travel hub parking, we’ve added 26 new spaces on Rectory Lane and next to one of the apartment blocks. This additional provision will help reduce parking on nearby roads.

Have you assessed the visual impact of the new buildings?

We have carefully designed the masterplan to ensure all new buildings have as little a visual impact as possible.

You can read our Visual Impact Assessment, submitted alongside the planning application, for more detail on the measures we’ve taken to reduce the visual impact of the new buildings.

Healthcare

Are there still plans to create a new Health Centre?

Working closely with our NHS partners, we are helping to shape a joint service offer across Prestwich that will deliver modern, fit for the future health facilities.

Whilst this part of the project is still in development, there will be no change to existing service provision and patients will be able to benefit from the wider improvements. Redevelopment of the NHS site will be delivered at a time that works best for them.

Demolition & Construction

When will the Longfield Centre be demolished?

We plan to start the demolition of the Longfield Centre in the coming weeks. This is a crucial step to clear the site for the construction of the new homes and community spaces.

Where will the library go during the construction period?

The library will be temporarily relocated to the Phoenix Centre to ensure the community continues to have access to vital services. We will provide further updates on the timing of this move soon.

Will the demolition and next phase of construction require more road closures?

In March, here will be another period when Fairfax Road will not reopen Friday to Monday. Further information will be communicated in advance. However, after this we’ll be starting a phased re-opening of Fairfax Road and will continue to keep you informed. Thank you for your continued patience.

How will you manage noise and dust during the demolition and construction?

We are committed to being a considerate neighbour. All work will be undertaken in accordance with a strict Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP).

This plan, agreed with the Council, includes specific measures to suppress dust, monitor noise levels, and manage site logistics to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses.

What are the site operating hours?

Site operating hours will be strictly controlled to minimise disturbance. Standard working hours are typically 8:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday, and 8:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays. No noisy work will take place on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Will the construction affect the Metrolink?

We do not anticipate any disruption to Metrolink services. We are liaising closely with Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to ensure that the tram network continues to operate as normal throughout the construction period.

Where will people be able to park during the demolition of the Longfield Centreand before completion of the travel hub?

During the demolition of the Longfield Centre, the Longfield car park will remain open prior to the completion of the travel hub.

Some localised closures within the car park may be necessary to support site Investigations and early works.