£100m plan to redevelop Prestwich town centre goes to public consultation

The £100m plans to redevelop Prestwich is to take a further step forward with business owners and the town’s residents being asked to contribute to its shape. Proposals to demolish the current Longfield centre and replace it with independent businesses, a mix of homes, outdoor areas and a new community hub focused on health have been formed by Bury Council and development partners Muse.

They have announced dates next month for a ‘community conversation’ on its plans. The project called Your Prestwich states its intention to ‘transform the Longfield Centre and cement Prestwich as one of the best places to live in the North West’.

The community conversation will formally launch in January and provide information on the emerging vision and concept designs for the regeneration of Prestwich Village centre. People can attend a drop-in session on Sunday, 29 January, 2023 from 11am – 3pm at Prestwich Library, Longfield Centre where the project team will be on hand to discuss the scheme. The announcement of the 2023 conversation follows Bury Council and Muse forming the Prestwich Regeneration LLP joint venture in November 2022.

Stuart Rogers, project director at Muse, said: “We know that the local community is excited to get involved in shaping the future of Prestwich Village so it’s great to be able to set out our plans for the first community conversation early next year. This is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a new beating heart for Prestwich that appeals to everyone, delivers significant local benefits through investment and jobs, and solidifies the village as one of the most sought after places to live in the region.

“Together, we want to create new spaces to help people and businesses to thrive, with a mix of high-quality homes and family-friendly spaces, as well as a new community hub that promotes health and wellbeing and provides key local services.

Getting local feedback will be crucial in helping us develop the plans and we’d encourage everyone to get involved, so we can create an inclusive place that we can all be proud of.”

Coun Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council said: “These are huge proposals which will transform the heart of Prestwich and ensure it thrives for decades to come. It’s essential that everyone plays their part in making it a success, so please come along to the consultation meetings, view the plans and give us your views.”

The consultation will end on Friday, 17 March, 2023, with the feedback being used to develop the vision for Prestwich Village.

Muse and the council then plan to hold a further conversation on the detailed proposals for Your Prestwich in summer 2023 before submitting a planning application by the autumn.