A vision of a transformed Bury town centre by redeveloping the Mill Gate Shopping Centre and the surrounding 15 acres to include less retail and more housing has been put forward.

The council has published an update to its strategy for the town centre shopping complex after it acquired the centre and wider estate alongside joint venture partner Bruntwood in April 2022.

A "draft strategic regeneration framework", a 300-page document will go before the public for their views if the authority’s cabinet gives the go ahead next week.

The council describe the proposals as having “the potential to deliver one of the North West’s most ambitious regeneration projects”.

The vision puts forward proposals to deliver 120 homes within its first development phase, with up to 700-800 over the entire masterplan period of 15 to 20 years.

The council hopes the regenerated area will be suitable for modern retail while also catering for the leisure sector.

 

Plans for the shopping centre have been put forward

Plans for the shopping centre have been put forward

 

A previous council report described a move towards "a future in urban areas where people travel less, buy locally, work and access local services in vital and liveable neighbourhoods".

The document sets out the suitability of the town centre for housing.

It states: “There is an opportunity for the Mill Gate to deliver new homes, optimising the use of brownfield land, to support the delivery of a vibrant, mixed use town centre hub.

“The opportunity supports the long term vitality of the town centre by increasing activity and footfall, while responding to the needs of existing and future residents.”

The framework document claims that retail in the town centre takes up too much space.

It says: “The current amount of retail floor space within the framework area is unsustainable due to the significant shift towards online shopping and new, less traditional, forms of retail and leisure.

“The area lacks a wider mix of uses and insufficient access to high quality, mixed tenure, multi-generational housing.

“This limited housing provision prevents the town centre from being a community of choice for those wanting to live in one of Greater Manchester’s most vibrant town centres.”

The document says the future of the Mill Gate area for retail "will be achieved through physical improvements to buildings and public realm".

The report states: “It will mean the reconfiguration of the retail offer to make Mill Gate one of Greater Manchester’s most attractive shopping and leisure destinations.

“This will be done by harnessing and celebrating the local identity and character of the town; and growing the town centre’s residential community.

“In this way, the Mill Gate can create sustainable inclusive growth opportunities for Bury’s residents over the short, medium and long term.”

The council’s cabinet will discuss the plans on Tuesday, November 7.