The Northern Gateway project is a transformative initiative poised to boost the local economy significantly.
- Expected to bring over £1bn of economic benefits to Rochdale and Bury.
- The project will create more than 20,000 high-quality jobs.
- A new planning document aims to facilitate development and funding efforts.
- Local councils will decide on the project’s next steps soon.
The massive Northern Gateway project, centred in Rochdale and Bury, represents a critical development expected to provide substantial economic advantages, valued at over £1bn. This ambitious initiative aims to create more than 20,000 high-quality jobs, marking a significant enhancement of the local economy.
A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is set to play a pivotal role in this project by establishing planning principles necessary for the development. This document will streamline the process for securing external resources essential for the project’s continuation. The SPD outlines crucial aspects such as proposed infrastructure, design principles, and the anticipated benefits of the development.
Spanning 1.2 million square metres, the project site is strategically located near junction 19 of the M62, on the border of Bury and Rochdale. This initiative includes employment sites at Heywood and Pilsworth, while also encompassing housing developments at Simister and Bowlee. However, the SPD is particularly focused on employment enhancements.
Approval of the SPD by Rochdale and Bury councils will lead to a public consultation phase, allowing residents and businesses to contribute their perspectives. Rochdale’s cabinet is scheduled to review these proposals on 29 October, with Bury following on 6 November, as reported by the Manchester Evening News.
The Northern Gateway is integral to the broader Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, which aims to become a hub for high-tech industries and economic innovation in the northern region of Greater Manchester. Local leaders have emphasised the project’s potential to generate well-paying, skilled jobs, thus considerably contributing to regional economic prosperity.
Councillor Neil Emmott of Rochdale Borough Council highlighted the project’s capacity to rebalance the Greater Manchester economy, enhancing transport connectivity and prosperity across the Rochdale borough. Similarly, Bury Council’s leader, Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, described it as a ‘game-changer’ in terms of job creation and local investment.
A spokesperson for the Northern Gateway Development Vehicle noted the meticulous approach in progress, focusing on both technical constraints and opportunities to underpin the upcoming masterplan and subsequent planning application.
The Northern Gateway project is set to transform the local economy by creating thousands of jobs and boosting regional prosperity in Rochdale and Bury.
