New images showcase Prestwich Village regeneration plans as second community conversation is launched

Nationwide placemaker Muse and Bury Council have unveiled new CGIs and an updated masterplan on the future of Prestwich village.

They have also launched a second community conversation on the transformational plans, following record levels of engagement in the previous conversation earlier in the year.

Your Prestwich is an ambitious £100m+ project that will transform the Longfield Centre and cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live and spend time in the North West.

The CGIs and updated masterplan highlight how the joint venture has used community feedback from the first conversation earlier this year to shape the regeneration plans, which 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 joint venture is also having positive discussions with the NHS and local GP practices about relocating health and GP services within the building.
• A new market hall providing smaller spaces for local retailers to thrive and grow. This includes a food hall for local food operators and communal seating that spills out onto the village square.
• Flexible retail and leisure spaces across the site, which will complement the high street and help to cater for Prestwich’s diverse business community. This includes a new gym.
• A new village square with family-friendly social places to meet and relax for all the community. The square has been flexibly designed so it provides space for pop-up events like markets, food festivals, art exhibitions and live performances.
• Plenty of landscaped outdoor and green spaces, trees and places to wander, relax and sit. It is planned to remove the existing fountain and incorporate new public art installations throughout the development.
• Relocating car parking in the centre of the site to a new multi-storey travel hub off Fairfax Road, which will contain around 350 spaces, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage and parcel lockers. The proposed travel hub location is designed to help reduce traffic along Rectory Lane and provide more space for pedestrians and cyclists, supporting wider plans to promote active travel across Prestwich with connections to local walking and cycling routes, and easy access to frequent tram and bus services.
• The plans also include around 200 new homes. 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.
• 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.

Stuart Rogers, project director at Muse, said:

“We had a brilliant response to our first conversation on regenerating Prestwich Village with nearly 900 people submitting questionnaires and hundreds of residents attending our online and in-person events. The local community is really passionate about the future of the site and shared loads of great ideas and feedback. This has been fundamental in helping us to work up detailed plans for our vision to create a new beating heart for Prestwich that appeals to everyone.

“At Muse, our approach to placemaking is to work closely with local communities and use their knowledge and insight to help us make people-centred places that leave a long-lasting, positive legacy. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversation with residents and hope we get another fantastic response over the coming weeks.”

Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, leader of Bury Council, said:

“These are truly transformational plans, bringing together housing, leisure, health and business opportunities to the heart of Prestwich.

“I’m delighted that so many people have already got involved and commented on the proposals. I urge everyone to play their part in ensuring that these developments will make Prestwich thrive for many generations to come.”

The second community conversation closes on Sunday 8 October 2023, with plenty of opportunities for people to take part and provide feedback:

• Complete an online questionnaire at www.yourprestwich.com
• Fill in a freepost questionnaire in the newsletter being delivered to all Prestwich addresses this week
• Email info@yourprestwich.com
• Call 0800 689 1095
• Write to ‘Freepost HAVE YOUR SAY’ (no further address or stamp needed)
• Attend drop-in sessions on Saturday 16 September 2023, 11am – 3pm and
• Wednesday 20 September 2023, 5pm – 8pm at Prestwich Library, Longfield Centre, Prestwich, M25 1AY where the team will be on hand to discuss the masterplan
• A quiet hour is being held for residents that have neurodiverse conditions, such as attention deficit hyperactive disorder, autism, dyspraxia and dyslexia on Saturday 16 September 2023, 10am – 11am at Prestwich Library. Contact the Your Prestwich team below to book onto this session
• Sign up for an online Q&A at www.yourprestwich.com on Monday 25 September 2023, 6:30pm – 7:30pm where you can learn more about the plans and ask the project team questions
• Follow on Instagram and Facebook: @YourPrestwich

Bury Council and Muse formed the Prestwich Regeneration LLP joint venture in November 2022 to drive the project forward. Following the second community conversation the joint venture will use the feedback to finalise the regeneration proposals and aims to submit a planning application before the end of the year.