Manchester’s Atom Valley site set to take step forward
A development framework for Greater Manchester’s largest employment hub, known as Northern Gateway, at Atom Valley looks likely to be approved by Bury Council and Rochdale Council over the coming weeks.
If approved, the framework would establish planning principles for the area, which will be taken into consideration when planning applications are determined. It would also make it easier to secure external funding for projects.
Northern Gateway would provide almost 13m sq ft of employment space on the Bury and Rochdale border close to junction 19 of the M62. It is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost to the region.
A development framework for Greater Manchester’s largest employment hub, known as Northern Gateway, at Atom Valley looks likely to be approved by Bury Council and Rochdale Council over the coming weeks.
If approved, the framework would establish planning principles for the area, which will be taken into consideration when planning applications are determined. It would also make it easier to secure external funding for projects.
Northern Gateway would provide almost 13m sq ft of employment space on the Bury and Rochdale border close to junction 19 of the M62. It is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost to the region.
The Northern Gateway development framework supplementary planning document includes details about the site, such as the proposed infrastructure, design principles, phasing and timescales. The masterplan covers employment sites at Heywood and Pilsworth, alongside housing at Simister and Bowlee.
Rochdale Council’s cabinet will consider the proposals on Tuesday next week, while the plan will go before Bury Council’s cabinet on 6 November.
The Northern Gateway is part of the wider Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, which aims to create a hub for high-tech industries, innovation and economic growth in the North.
Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The Northern Gateway, as part of the wider Atom Valley, presents us with a transformative opportunity to rebalance the Greater Manchester economy and bring thousands of high-quality jobs, improved transport links to surrounding areas and increased prosperity to the Rochdale borough and beyond.”
Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “This is a true game-changer, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring jobs and investment to our part of the world. It will play a crucial role in building prosperous communities in Bury and the wider area for generations to come.”
