A place
For all

Although the retail and community hub building was identified as being 4-storeys as part of the original hybrid planning permission, its height would have been approximately 20.7m (to the top of plant screen).

The new apartment block in this location is 23.5m (to the top of plant screen) and 20.8m (not including plant screen). However, the increase in height is visually mitigated by the reduced depth of the new building. The consented retail and community hub was circa 26m wide, while the new apartment block in this location is 17m wide.

The design has been directly informed by a detailed study of the character, materials and architecture of the surrounding area. The buildings use brick as their primary material, drawing on the rich tradition of brick detailing found across Prestwich village. Textured brickwork, pigmented concrete and coloured metalwork are used to add depth and variety to the facades.

The retail and community hub has been designed to reflect the two-storey pitched-roof buildings found between Bury New Road and Poppythorn Lane, interpreted in a contemporary way. The Market Hall uses terracotta cladding alongside large areas of glazing, designed to complement the surrounding palette of warm tones.

The intention is to retain features like the Longfield Centre shield where it is practical to do so. This will depend on the material and condition of individual items and will be confirmed once the demolition contractor is on site. A heritage exhibition relating to the Longfield Centre has been moved to Bury Arts Museum.

Parking demand was assessed using the same approach approved as part of the original planning permission, based on actual usage data from the car parks that previously served the site.

There will be 347 parking spaces in total. The majority (301 spaces) will be provided in the new Travel Hub, which is currently under construction and expected to open in Summer 2026. A further 46 spaces will be provided on-street and within the development itself. Accessible parking is well distributed around the village centre.

Parking provision for the new homes has been retained at 42%, which is the same as that approved as part of the original hybrid planning permission. Bury Council’s parking standards generally require around 6% to be disabled parking spaces. 20 of the 46 on-plot/on-street spaces are disabled bays (43%), and 15 of the 301 Travel Hub spaces are disabled bays (5%).

In total, 35 of the 347 bays will be disabled bays, a ratio of 10%, which exceeds the Council’s requirement. Twenty-eight spaces in the Travel Hub will have electric vehicle chargers, with the infrastructure in place to add more in the future.

Promoting walking and cycling is a priority for both the Government and Bury Council. The development has been designed to support this, with a network of pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets connecting the village centre, a new public square at the heart of the scheme, and 216 cycle parking spaces. A Framework Travel Plan has been submitted with the planning application, setting out the sustainable transport measures proposed.

The village centre is also located on the tram and bus network, meaning sustainable travel will be an easy choice.

We know travel habits won’t change overnight, but by creating the right environment, we can help more people choose greener, healthier ways to get around. This benefits you, the planet, and future generations.

We anticipate that the development will not have a greater impact on traffic than the scheme that was originally approved. Although the number of apartments has increased from 210 to 248, this is expected to generate slightly fewer vehicle trips than the original scheme. This is primarily because the revised proposal comprises apartments only, whereas the earlier plans included houses. Houses typically generate more vehicle trips as they tend to accommodate more occupiers who are more likely to have access to one or more cars.

Vehicle access within the village centre will also be managed by removable bollards to reduce through-traffic.

Any requirements to improve or contribute to local transport services, including the Metrolink, will be discussed and agreed with the Council during the determination of the planning application. Transport for Greater Manchester is a consultee on the application.

There will be approximately 2,100 sqm of retail and commercial space spread across the village centre. This includes three ground floor commercial units in the apartment building to the south (Plot AD) totalling 557 sqm; 500 sqm of retail space in the retail and community hub (Plot B); a Market Hall (Plot C) with 210 sqm of retail and 380 sqm of food, drink and takeaway space; and 456 sqm of ground floor commercial space in the apartment building to the east (Plot E).

The retail units are designed to create active frontages at ground floor level, bringing life and footfall to the new streets and the village square.

Following feedback from the previous consultation, where residents asked to prioritise attracting local and independent businesses, Bury Council is continuing to engage with tenants that occupied the Longfield Centre about their plans for the future and their interest in being part of the scheme. The approach to setting rents for retail units is still under discussion and the final strategy is yet to be confirmed.

There are no plans for a bank as part of the development, but there is the potential for a pop-up banking hub to be located within the library.

A gymnasium of approximately 518 sqm is proposed as part of the retail and community hub (Plot B). Details of what facilities it will include and who will run it are not yet confirmed. However, the facilities will not include a swimming pool, due to size restrictions. 

The Market Hall is designed as a single storey building at the heart of the village square, with approximately 590 sqm of floorspace. It will include a mix of food and drink operators, alongside space for retailers.

The building has been designed with large glass frontages to create an open, welcoming feel and a strong visual connection with the village square.

The Market Hall is intended to be open into the evening, to support Prestwich’s night-time economy.

Yes. The Market Hall includes customer toilets. Public toilets will also be available in the library.

No – the community and library space has more than doubled. The new library and community space will be 1,040 sqm, compared with 475 sqm in the original approved scheme. It is also larger than the previous Longfield Centre Prestwich Library (1,012 sqm).

The new facility will include a children’s library on the ground floor, as well as two large community spaces at either end of the building, available for use by community groups and local organisations.

The retail and community hub building (Plot B) will include: a new library spread across the ground and first floors (1,040 sqm in total); 500 sqm of retail space on the ground floor; and a 518 sqm gymnasium.

The building has a total floorspace of approximately 2,058 sqm, which includes community areas designed to host activities, meetings, and events for the local community. 

The library is spread across both the ground and first floors. Locating the main library space on the first floor allows the ground floor to include active retail and leisure uses, which helps to create footfall and a vibrant street-level environment during the day and into the evening.

The building will be fully accessible, including lift access to the first floor. Children’s provision – including a play area and children’s books – will remain on the ground floor.

Yes

No. The village square has grown significantly from 1,200 sqm in the original proposal to approximately 1,700 sqm, which is an increase of around 500 sqm. Across the wider development, the amount of public space has either stayed the same or increased.

The square has been designed as a flexible community space, with areas of pocket gardens, planting and room for events such as markets, outdoor cinema and art exhibitions. Green roofs are also proposed on two of the buildings.

A total of 120 new trees will be planted across the development, with species chosen for seasonal variety, colour and biodiversity value.

Some existing trees will need to be removed to make way for the development. Across the whole site, a total of 61 trees will be removed. None of these are the highest-quality category of tree, and none are protected by Tree Preservation Orders.

The trees in the car park area cannot be kept in place or transplanted, but they will be replaced with new semi-mature trees.

In total, 120 new trees will be planted – a ratio of two new trees for every one removed, in line with planning policy. The replacement trees include a mix of native and ornamental species, selected for their shape, seasonal interest and contribution to biodiversity.

Over time, the new planting is expected to fully re-establish the tree cover on the site, with improvements to species diversity and overall quality. Working with City of Trees, Bury Council has planted over 40,000 tress in Bury Borough, including 40 standard trees, 180 whips and an orchard in nearby St Mary’s Park. 

Bury Council is also working with local charities to ensure that birds currently residing at the Longfield Centre are safely managed before demolition begins, including checks to confirm that no active nests are present prior to any removal works.

The increase to 248 homes has been made possible through design changes to the masterplan. Previous plans proposed up to 210 homes across three separate apartment buildings. The updated design combines these into two buildings, allowing the total number of homes to rise to 248.
 
This increase has enabled the project to secure £6.8 million from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, designed to help create an inclusive economy where no one and no place is left behind, part of a wider programme led by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). This funding plays a vital role in enabling the regeneration to go ahead.

This funding not only supports the delivery of new homes but also enables investment in enhanced community facilities, such as the expanded library and village square, helping to create a vibrant and welcoming centre for everyone.
 
There is also clear evidence of local housing need. Bury Council data (November 2025) shows only 4.3 years of housing land supply (below the required five-year level) highlighting the importance of delivering new homes in sustainable, well-connected locations like Prestwich.

By focusing on rental apartments, the development has unlocked funding from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund, which has been instrumental in making the wider regeneration of Prestwich village possible.

Townhouses were explored at the very early stages of the project, but they were not included in the approved hybrid planning application in 2024. A townhouse-led approach would have resulted in more expensive and fewer homes. The new plans will provide more accessible housing options, helping to meet local needs.

There is also strong demand for homes within easy reach of the village centre. These new apartments will help meet that demand, offering high-quality, accessible homes for a range of people, including those who want to remain in Prestwich and enjoy the convenience of being close to shops, services, amenities, and community spaces. By providing well-managed, professionally maintained apartments, the development will support a sustainable, thriving community and ensure that the regeneration delivers benefits for both current and future residents.

A single build-to-rent operator will professionally manage the homes, ensuring consistent standards and reducing long-term maintenance risks.

Bury Council’s Housing Strategy recognises that young people are increasingly priced out of the communities they grew up in, particularly where housing choices are limited to traditional family homes.

Modern apartments in town centres are specifically identified as part of the solution because they:

• Provide smaller, more affordable homes suited to first time buyers, renters and young professionals

• Are located close to public transport, jobs, shops and services, reducing living costs and car dependence

• Make better use of brownfield land, protecting surrounding neighbourhoods and green spaces

By delivering apartments in Prestwich Village, the regeneration creates opportunities for young people who want to:

• Live independently for the first time

• Stay connected to family, friends and community networks

• Build careers locally or commute easily into Bury or Manchester

Without this kind of housing, the strategy is clear that young people are more likely to be forced to leave the area entirely, weakening community continuity and local economies. Apartments therefore play a key role in ensuring Prestwich remains a place where people can grow up, move out, and still stay local rather than having to move away.