Muse brought in to take forward Prestwich regeneration

Muse Developments has been appointed by Hollins Murray Group to draw up new plans for the regeneration of the Longfield Shopping Centre in Prestwich, which has been the subject of a series of failed proposals.

Proposals for the seven-acre shopping centre site will now be developed by Muse in consultation with owner HMG and members and officers of Bury Council, in consultation with the people of Prestwich.

The plot is currently made up a mixture of retail units, the Longfield Suite and a car park. Leach Rhodes Walker has been appointed architect on the scheme, however according to Muse no finalised decisions have been made in regards to what the regenerated site will include.

Planning permission was granted in 2009 for a retail-led scheme, and in 2011 Terrace Hill Group, now Urban & Civic, was brought in as development partner to bring forward the project.

Plans include the demolition of the existing Longfield Shopping Centre and library to make way for a mixed-use development, centred around a 60,000 sq ft supermarket along with smaller non-food retail units. Approval was also granted to a 70-bed hotel, office accommodation, restaurants, public realm space and up to 36 residential units.

Phil Mayall, development director at Muse Developments, said: “We are excited to be appointed to work on a scheme that has so much potential for improving the retail and leisure offer in such a prominent, central location.

“However we are at the start of a long journey and we are fully aware that previous attempts have not been successful. Accordingly, we are treating this as a completely fresh start for the regeneration of Prestwich Village. At this stage all options will be analysed and considered and we will be working in close partnership with HMG and the council to get the right mix for the area. Of course local residents, businesses and stakeholders will also be consulted as proposals emerge.

“The council’s plans for the improvement of the A56 through the village fit in very well with our ambitions for the Longfield Shopping Centre and have given our plans a major boost.”