Latest plans for the regeneration of Whitefield

Plans to improve the heart of Whitefield are set to be formally adopted by Bury Council.

Councillors are expected to approve the revised Whitefield Town Centre Plan following a lengthy period of consultation, which has resulted in a number of changes.

The document will formally guide future investment and development in the town, and can be viewed here: https://www.bury.gov.uk/planning-building-control/regeneration/whitefield-town-centre-plan/whitefield-town-centre-plan-proposals

It was recognised that accessing funding to deliver the plan will be a challenge. In light of this, the council is adopting a policy to ringfence at least 10% of the money received from locally raised capital receipts to help support improvements specifically in Whitefield. This ringfenced pot is the first time the council has made such a commitment to a town plan in the borough and will provide a kickstart to a wider funding strategy in the delivery plan.

The plan has been produced following the intervention of the High Street Task Force, a nationwide initiative to support the revitalisation and transformation of town centres and high streets.

Consultation with residents and stakeholders on the original plans took place in March 2023, and then from May to June 2023.

More than 250 participants took part. The main findings included:

• · Whitefield lacks a centre, there is a lack of variety of things to do, and the area is dominated by traffic.
• · The main reason for 36% of responders for visiting Whitefield was related to shopping
• · 51% of people wanted to see more food and beverage markets/ events, and · 64% wanted changes relating to parks and green spaces.

Following this, a draft Town Centre Plan was produced in late 2023. A second round of consultation, this time on the draft Plan’s proposals, ran from January to March 2024. The proposals which received most support were:   

• Improve crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists on Bury New Road and on Higher Lane;  
• Plant new trees, create wildflower areas, and install box planters in Whitefield town centre; and  
• The proposals for “Whitefield Common”, which included moving the existing Uplands medical centre to the former Whitefield library, leaving the site open for residential development 

Areas of concern included:   

• Concern around parking availability, particularly near to Slattery;  
• Fears that improving active travel infrastructure would be inappropriate, due to road width, lack of demand, and the potential of additional congestion being created;  
• While two-thirds wanted Bury New Road to be kept as it is, one-third wanted footpath space to be increased for the benefit of pedestrians, cyclists, or bus lanes;  
• Frustration at a lack of community space to meet;  

As a result of the consultation, a number of changes have been made.

• Transport - a commitment to carry out audits of Whitefield’s roads relating to suitability for improved active travel infrastructure, car parking demand, and vehicle count;

• More explicit regard for heritage – particularly relating to the Uplands proposals, street furniture improvements, and investment in the public realm (particularly in or near to the Conservation Area); 

• The proposals could include the installation of local planters, subject to local businesses maintaining them; improved signage; small public realm improvements and potentially shop-front improvements, subject to co-investment’

• Proposals to increase support for events in Whitefield; and  

• Clarification on green space proposals, which could include community management.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “The Whitefield Town Centre Plan aims to improve the town centre area for communities, businesses, and the environment.

“As part of our LET’S do it strategy, these proposals have been drafted following extensive input from local businesses, residents and community representatives.

“We’re all committed to making Whitefield an attractive place to live, work and visit. The town plan will help us join the dots and make this happen.

“All the proposals will require further work and will be subject to further engagement with relevant stakeholders. Funding will also be required for implementation.”

Caleb Jones, senior urban designer at consultants Planit, commented: “We’re delighted to hear about the upcoming formal adoption of Whitefield’s Town Centre Plan following extensive consultation with the local community. Planit’s regeneration strategy to create a ‘prosperous and greener town’ focuses a vision for new homes, a community green space, and transformation of the old library into a health centre.

“The proposals will support the delivery of an attractive, cleaner and greener people-oriented town centre where residents want to spend time and make full use its high street. The vision creates a catalyst for more detailed plans, funding bids and active community participation on Whitefield’s future.”

The plan is due to be approved by members of the council’s cabinet next Wednesday (4 Dec).