Delivery vehicle set up to push the pace at 300-acre GM growth zone

A mayoral development corporation will be established to ensure Northern Gateway fulfils its potential as an “internationally significant” employment site.

Located within Atom Valley – the 17m sq ft innovation zone that straddles Bury, Oldham, and Rochdale – the 300-acre Northern Gateway has the potential to create around 20,000 jobs.

In order to ramp up delivery of around 1.2m sq ft of employment space and ensure the scheme is looked upon favourably by the new government, the GMCA has approved the principle of setting up a bespoke delivery vehicle for the project.

GM Mayor Andy Burnham said establishing an MDC for the Northern Gateway showed the city region is “getting ready for the growth mission that has been set out by the new government”.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s MDC model has proven successful in the past.

In Stockport’s MDC was set up in 2017 and has turbocharged the redevelopment of land to the west of the town centre.

The GMCA is hoping that adopting the same governance and delivery mechanism at Northern Gateway will have a similar impact.

Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Council, said the project could be a gamechanger for the city region.

“[This is] a massive opportunity to make this site one of real international significance and create 20,000 quality jobs to help drive greater Manchester’s continued improvement in productivity and economic performance,” he said.

Speaking at Friday’s meeting of the GMCA, Cllr Bev Craig – Leader of Manchester City Council and GM’s lead on economy, business, and inclusive growth – said the MDC would allow the scheme to “move at pace”.

“This is a signal of intent,” she said.

“There has been a lot of talk about the potential of Northern Gateway and Atom Valley in particular – this is a straightforward mechanism to be able to put all of our energy and pace behind getting on and delivering it.”