Plans to transform Radcliffe, Prestwich and Ramsbottom to be discussed

With the council hoping to inject huge economic and social benefits, tens of millions of public money will be invested in an ambitious move to improve the three areas

Among the plans, a secondary school is due to be built in Radcliffe along with a leisure hub and hundreds of homes.

How the Radcliffe leisure hub is expected to look under the plans (Image: Public)

There are hopes for Prestwich to become more pedestrianised and cycle-friendly with proposals for a new market, more parking and new homes being listed. 

Plans to redevelop the Longfield Centre are a major part of the village's regeneration.

And Ramsbottom is expected to receive much-needed parking facilities as well as a new public square, more pedestrianisation and an "enterprise centre".

The Longfield Centre in Prestwich (Image: LDRS)

Ramsbottom town centre (Image: Public)

Meanwhile, a project to regenerate Bury town centre is underway, which will include a redeveloped interchange and a revamped market with a "flexi-hall venue".

The plans have been welcomed by Cllr Russell Bernstein, the borough's Conservative Party leader, who backs the Labour-run council's projects. 

He said: “I am totally supportive of the regeneration plans in the borough.

“It is providing an excellent example of a collaborative approach between government who are investing in excess of £100m and the council who are charged with the delivery of these exciting schemes which will bring the change the borough requires.  

“I am particularly excited by the masterplan for the town centre and the much needed delivery of change in Radcliffe, which by the later part of next year will see the building of the first new homes and the much awaited new school, hoping to be opened in 2024."

Bury Conservatives leader, Cllr Russell Bernstein (Image: Public)

Radcliffe First leader, Cllr Mike Smith, is mostly pleased with the plans for his town.

He said: "On the whole we feel this plan will bring a great many benefits to the town and encourage onward investment that will benefit and expand the regeneration of Radcliffe. 

"Radcliffe has suffered from over promising and under delivering for decades and this goes some way to redressing the balance. 

"The replacement leisure facility is long overdue and the offering in the Market Chambers building should expand on the success of the market."

Radcliffe First leader, Cllr Mike Smith (Image: Bury Council)

But Cllr Smith does feel the plans do not address all the concerns.  

He said: "On a wider scale, we are disappointed the canal was not brought under the remits of both the Radcliffe regeneration and the Bury Masterplan to create a functioning attraction for both towns. 

"My personal belief in the project delivery team lends me to confidence that the scheme will be successful in its remit. 

"As a group we see this regeneration scheme as a starting point for the town and not its destination.

"We see an exciting future for Radcliffe and its residents. 

"With close on 1,800 students travelling out of the town for education, the replacement of one of our high schools is long overdue.

"The task now is to make sure it fits the needs of the town it serves and provides an outstanding level of education to its pupils."

Cllr Bernstein added: “It is good the regeneration in the town centre and Prestwich is being supported by ventures with Brantwood and Muse, both of whom have excellent track records in this field.

“What is fundamental is to ensure the physical regeneration in the borough is complemented by ensuring the people of Bury have the necessary skills to be able to take up the employment opportunities that will become available.”

A council overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, November 1 will examine the current status of the plans.

Sir Howard Bernstein, former Manchester City Council chief executive, will be on hand to answer questions in relation to the Radcliffe regeneration.

A business improvement district plan for Bury will also be discussed.

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