Reworked JD Sports HQ gets unanimous approval
Bury Council waved through the fashion retailer’s proposals to build a leisure pavilion with canteen, gym facilities, padel courts, and running track – an application that saw the company leave behind its initial vision of a purpose-built creche and a 63,000 sq ft hub building.
The decision as made at the council’s planning committee meeting yesterday.
By abandoning the creche proposal, which had received planning permission in 2023, JD Sports will be able to expand the parking provision on its Bury campus, situated at the junction of Hollins Brook Way and Pilsworth Road.
Under the previous plans for the 5.7-acre site, there were 170 spaces to be made available for vehicles. The new designs have grown that number to 202, including 22 with EV charging capability, 38 that are future-proofed for EV charging, 11 mobility impaired spaces, 10 visitor spaces, and three motorcycle ones.
The need for more parking comes as JD has shifted from a flex working model to requiring staff be in the office at least four days a week.
It was this change in work habits that sparked the rethink of the company’s designs for its Bury campus.
“We are reviewing the plans for our new and improved Bury campus on an ongoing basis using expert advice and feedback from our colleagues,” a spokesperson for JD Sports told Place North West.
“As part of this, we recently amended our planning application to prioritise facilities that our team would find most valuable and the plans for our state-of-the-art new campus currently include a gym, sports facilities and an on-site restaurant.”
The leisure pavilion will be 16,000 sq ft, offering a canteen, gym, and associated changing facilities. Exiting the pavilion, employees will have access to a multi-use games area, two padel courts, and a running track.
AEW Architects led the redesign with Space Invader for JD Sports. Enabl was the planning consultant. Avid was the project manager.
The project team also included CW Studio, Redmore Environmental, E3P, Groundtech, Kennedy Redford, Design for Security, GTech Surveys, Urban Green, David M. Eagle, Cundall, BTG Eddisons, and Dunham Ecology.
To review the application, use reference 72656 on Bury Council’s planning portal.
Replacing the creche with expanding an already bloated parking footprint. Is it 1966 or 2026?
By Anonymous
Seems a very backward step and not supportive to wider diverse workforce. Removal of creche and going away from flex working while requiring 4 days a week in the office. Ah…..sounds like a creche would be useful for that…..oh
By equal opportunities
I’d like a gym, canteen, padel courts, a special snoozy section for when I get tired and an on call masseuse for the two days I’m actually prepared to come into the office. Anything else is just abuse.
By Anonymous
This highlights how workplace design is evolving to prioritise employee wellbeing and on-site engagement.
The addition of fitness and leisure facilities reflects a broader shift in supporting healthier work environments.
Cost awareness remains relevant in health-related choices as well.
By Rose Mendes
The much needed and much vaunted crèche gets dumped in favour of more sports facilities for the boys. JDs maternity pay and arrangements have been shocking for years and despite a revamp remain woeful. This is indicative of the lack of concern for female staff.
By Ex Employee