New future for former police HQ

Thursday, 1 June 2023 08:20

By David Murphy

The former police HQ in Bury town centre is to be given a bright new future as the site for two much-needed care homes.

The Irwell Street building has been vacant since 2016 and demolition began in 2018.

Now council leaders are set to approve a deal to sell the site to Exemplar Healthcare (Cairnwell Developments) in order that they can build specialist residential care homes for 80 people with complex needs. The phased development could create up to 100 jobs, and the buildings – likely to be three storeys high - would cause less overshadowing for nearby residents than the old six-storey police HQ did.

The move is set to be approved by members of the council’s cabinet when it meets on 7 June.

Councillor Clare Cummins, cabinet member for housing services, said: “We need a wide range of housing across Bury, suitable for every section of society: single people, families, elderly and those living with a disability.

“This is an excellent site which will provide much-needed accommodation and support for 80 people. Bringing the area back into use will also benefit the environment, not least for residents who live nearby.”

And Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “Our priority for new housing is always ‘brownfield first’, and this is an ideal way to provide social care to our vulnerable residents on a long-derelict site.

“With the new jobs it will bring, and the benefits to local residents, it really is a win-win situation.”