Muse consults on changes to £100m Prestwich regen
More homes, a larger library, and a more generous public square are proposed as part of the redevelopment of the Longfield Centre.
Muse is working up revised plans for the next phases of the £100m Prestwich regeneration project having secured close to £7m from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund to progress the scheme.
Working in a JV with Bury Council, the developer wants to increase the number of homes proposed from 200 to 250, enlarge the planned village square by 5,000 sq ft, and increase the size of the library from 5,000 sq ft to more than 11,000 sq ft.
A gym, retail space, and a flexible community facility remain part of the proposals, for which a detailed planning application is being drawn up.
Learn more about the plans for Prestwich
Meanwhile, work on the first phase of the scheme, a £14m multi-storey car park north of Farifax Road, is due to complete this summer.
The 300-space car park will unlock the surface car parks to the rear of the Longfield Centre for redevelopment in later phases of the scheme.
The Longfield Centre itself will be demolished later this year. Most tenants have already vacated, with some – including Village Greens and Keg, Cask and Bottle – finding new homes elsewhere in the village, while the others have been served notices to vacate.
The library will relocate to the Phoenix Centre in St Mary’s Park while its new home is built.
Hugh Taylor, senior project manager at Muse, said: “We’ve made great progress with the travel hub, which is due to open in the summer, and securing £6.8m from the Greater Manchester Good Growth Fund means we can move forward with the next phase of regeneration and deliver the village centre that Prestwich deserves.
“We’ve been refining the masterplan to make the most of the site, delivering more new homes, bigger and better public spaces and plenty of greenery, trees and places to wander, relax and sit. We now want to hear from the people who know Prestwich, and what they think of our updated plans.”
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council and a Prestwich councillor, said: “This £100m investment is laying the foundations for a vibrant, modern town centre with new opportunities, and a brighter future for the whole community.
“We know the journey can be challenging, and we’re extremely grateful for everyone’s continued patience as the work continues. Your support is vital and makes a real difference.
“When the work is complete, Prestwich will have a town centre the whole community can be proud of.”
The project team features Asteer Planning, Jon Matthews Architects, Planit, and Civic Engineers.
Well this is a huge surprise – let’s see how many more flats we can squash in, presumably with no extra parking.
Emptying out the Longfield Centre was inevitable at some point, current plans or not, but it has removed some of the cheaper actually useful shops (eg Iceland) with no real sign of what will fill the space under all the flats in X years time.
It still has the potential to be very good, but risks getting rid of the things residents have shown they want over many years – such as cheaper shops selling basics and free accessible parking for shopping or park and ride – with a sort of cut and paste of unclear aspirational stuff.
By Gail's Fakery
Relocation of a carpark, extend the library, an extra 50 houses….no mention of a doctors surgery or other social requirements.
So what is the consolation on? An extra 50 homes, I would like to see the 106.
By Steve5839
Great progress has been made with the travel hub, at the expense of Fairfax Road – one of the main arteries of Prestwich being completely closed to traffic Monday to Friday and some weekends until July!
This road closure is untenable for local residents and needs to be reversed.
By Pugh
Cheaper shops for selling basics?
Apart from Aldi, Farmfoods, Quality Save, Superdrug and a Tesco Superstore?
By Greedy Guts
@Steve5839 theres already a doctors surgery behind the centre
By Anonymous
Where has the community hub gone from original plan?
By Katrina Yates
Pugh, you can still walk through Fairfax Junction and it’s been a positive stopping Nursery Rd and Poppythorn Lane being a rat run between Bury Old Rd and Bury New Road. Plenty of other routes to get around in a car. Fairfax Rd is not an arterial route.
By Annoying Mouse
Born and bred in Prestwich 90 years ago. Simister was the place to go for country walks as Heaton Park was occupied by the RAF during the war. Stop trying to fill every inch of greenery with people who are a form of pollution (read sociology). People need somewhere to walk in fresh air to escape from the pressures of everyday life. I expect it is not as nice as it used to be.
By Pam
An entertainment complex would be good. They have many in the city centre. Like a bowling centre
By Andrew Jones
Do these planners think everyone is going to use this car park?…cos they are going to be very shocked when they don’t unless it’s free.
By Anonymous
Oh for goodness sake you all, get positive, this is long over due,the shop space will be out for tender, in earlier announcements the doctors needs were addressed, this is a massive boost for Prestwich and houses are in the mix, go take advantage of viewing it.
By Harry Johnston OBE
Can’t wait sounds good
By Elaine taylor
Pam, take the time to look at the plans on the website. The scheme will include more public realm, not less. Interesting to hear about our history though.
By Born in 89
Looks like an excellent proposal.
By Anonymous
im happy Prestwich is getting a much needed revamp. I just hope the attention turns to Whitefield asap as its been forgotten
By Anonymous