The team behind the £100 million + regeneration of the Prestwich Village centre are set to carry out ground investigations at the Fairfax Road car park, helping pave the way for delivery of the landmark regeneration project.
Prestwich Regeneration LLP – the joint venture between Muse and Bury Council have – have confirmed the work will take place over four weeks, starting on Monday 17 June 2024. The Fairfax Road car park will be closed during this time, however the neighbouring Longfield Centre car park will remain open for the duration.
Work at the site is the essential next step in the delivery of the ambitious vision for Prestwich. It will involve teams working Monday to Friday to drill holes in the ground, take samples and fill them back in. Doing such ground investigations now will speed up delivery of the proposed new travel hub, should planning permission be granted this summer.
It is all part of the plans to overhaul the dated Longfield Centre site, creating a new beating heart for Prestwich village with shops, community facilities, public green spaces and much-needed new homes.
Updates have been made to submitted plans recently, with the number of parking spaces in the proposed travel hub increased from 275 to 301. The hub is also planned to feature electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and parcel lockers. You can read the updated plans here.
“We’re excited to now be making tangible progress on the regeneration Prestwich Village, following years of consultation, detailed design and preparation.”
Stuart Rogers, Director of Project Management at Muse, said:
“The work will help us understand the quality of the ground, essential before any development can start on site. Doing so now will help us hit the ground running with the delivery of the travel hub once we have a positive planning decision. We’re excited to now be making tangible progress on the regeneration Prestwich Village, following years of consultation, detailed design and preparation.”
“We understand there may be some short term inconvenience with the closure of the car park. This a necessary step to help the specialist team access the site. They’ll work swiftly and considerately throughout to minimise any disruption to those living and working nearby.”
Locals can contact the team directly via email – info@yourprestwich.com – or via other methods detailed at www.yourprestwich.com
A new beating heart
The joint venture was formed in 2022 to drive forward a vision to create a new beating heart for Prestwich at the Longfield Centre site.
The ambitious plans are set to cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live and spend time in the North West. The design has been shaped significantly by input from locals following two stages of consultation, with the final plans including:
A community hub
Including a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture. The building will also offer an opportunity to deliver a new Prestwich Health Centre, with discussions ongoing with the NHS and local GP practices.
A new village square
With family-friendly social places for all the community to meet and relax, which has been flexibly designed so it provides space for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.
A 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.
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.
Enhancing the Prestwich arrival experience
From the tram by delivering landscaping which connects with green spaces in the village.
Around 200 new homes
Which forms part of the outline application, is envisaged will include a mix from affordable homes to homes for first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers. The design, materials and style will follow in a future detailed planning application.
It’s anticipated that the Local Planning Authority will consider the planning application for the project this summer.