SPD drawn up for 1,550 Northern Gateway homes
Rochdale Council and Bury Council are due to sign off a draft framework for the 242-acre Simister Bowlee area over the next few weeks, with a public consultation to follow soon after.
Situated adjacent to Heaton Park and on either side of Heywood Old Road, the Simister Bowlee site comprises Green Belt that was released as part of Places for Everyone. It is mostly within Bury’s borders, with 1,350 of the proposed 1,550 homes to be located within the local authority’s borders.
The site has the potential to generate £146m for the economy during its 16-year construction period, with 80 jobs possibly created once it is operational. Once finished, Simister Bowlee could raise £4.65m in additional council tax payments and £50,000 in business rates revenue, according to the supplementary planning document.
The SPD showcases the two councils’ vision for the site, which they plan to include a local centre with potential healthcare provision, primary school, nature trails, and pocket parks.
Transport is also a factor in the SPD, which notes Transport for Greater Manchester’s provisional plans for a Metrolink extension to Middleton and a future tram-train service between Bury, Heywood, and Rochdale that could improve public transport access to the site.
The councils divide up the area into four character areas: Simister View, Hillside, Bowlee Edge, and Valley. Hillside is perhaps the most diverse of the four, with potential to house the proposed primary school, the local centre, and a care home in additional to homes and a green space. Bowlee Edge would be notable for providing views of Manchester’s skyline, while much of the biodiversity net gain would be achieved in the Valley area.
A mix of house types is proposed for Simister Bowlee, with provision for custom and self-build plots included in the SPD.
Bury Council Leader Cllr Eamonn O’Brien said: “The Simister Bowlee Development Framework sets out a clear vision for creating a well-planned, sustainable community of up to 1,550 new homes.
“With essential infrastructure, green spaces, a new primary school and improved transport links, this development will play a vital role in shaping the Northern Gateway and delivering lasting benefits for Bury, Rochdale, and the wider region.”
Cllr Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Council, added: “This new framework represents another important step forward for this area as part of the wider Atom Valley project, which will create thousands of highly skilled jobs and new homes in Rochdale and Bury.”
Given its location within Northern Gateway, Simister Bowlee is part of Greater Manchester’s ambitious employment and housing proposal – one that is set to create more than 2,500 homes and 13m sq ft of employment space.
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not much detail in the plans for the type or design of the housing. i really hope its not just the same as what they have been building in North Manchester, which amounts to essentially child drawing of a house design
By Anonymous
Get the Met… do it now… make sure the site is connected from the start!!!!!!!!!!
By Trains
Yet another example of developers sprawling into land without ever having been there. The traffic around these areas is already at stand still from 7am each week day. Then some bright spark has come up with the idea of adding more.
By Anonymous
Ah great more plans that no one wanted and objected too. I am all for the built environment, but not at the expense of greenbelt. It’s absolutely devasting to see these plans. Another reason why we we will not be voting for Cllr Eamonn O’Brien at the next election. If we wanted to live in a built up area with no green spaces then we would have bought a house in that location. Shame on you Bury Council and shame on you Cllr Eamonn O’Brien.
By Paid paradise to put up a parking lot