Plans to transform the centre of Prestwich Village into a thriving heart of the community have been approved by Bury Council. Prestwich Regeneration LLP – the joint venture between nationwide placemaker Muse and Bury Council – lodged a planning application for the regeneration of the Longfield Centre site in February, which will feature a new market hall and village square, and last night (July 23) the Planning Control Committee voted to approve the transformational proposal.
The £100m+ project aims to transform the Longfield Centre with the regeneration plans set to include a new community hub building, including a library and flexible community space that can be used for events, clubs and art and culture. The building will also offer an opportunity to deliver a new Prestwich Health Centre, with discussions ongoing with the NHS and local GP practices.
Plus, plans feature a new market hall (including a food hall for local food operators and communal seating that spills out onto the village square), flexible retail and leisure spaces, a new gym, landscaped outdoor and green spaces. It is planned to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.
Adding to the community element that’s to come to Prestwich, plans include a new village square with a flexible design to provide space for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances. The proposals underwent further changes in April this year, with the inclusion of even more parking spaces in the new multi-storey travel hub, which contains up to 300 car parking spaces as well as EV charging points and cycle storage – which will be constructed first and anticipated to start on site later this year.
There are also plans to include around 200 new homes in Prestwich Village. While the housing is not yet fully designed it is envisaged that there will be a mix of apartment sizes for affordable homes, first-time buyers, growing families and downsizers.
The plans also feature new energy and water efficient buildings to minimise carbon in operation, including the use of sustainable building materials to reduce upfront embodied carbon. The new buildings are also being designed to complement local architecture and celebrate Prestwich’s heritage and character.
Joe Stockton at Muse, said: “This is a huge moment for Prestwich. The overhaul of the Longfield Centre will create a new beating heart for the village packed with community facilities, spaces for local businesses to thrive, and much-needed new homes.
“Thanks to all the people that took part in the conversation over the last couple of years, we were blown away by the passion local people have for the area. Working together we’ve created a new village centre that everyone can be proud of and that will cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live for decades to come.”
Construction for the Prestwich Village regeneration is expected to begin later this year, starting with the travel hub.