Manchester planning: 230 homes on greenbelt, new airport Metrolink, and women-only gym in ex-pub

In the south of the city-region it has been revealed that a new Metrolink stop and tram line for Manchester Airport are being seriously considered. Moving northwards, a transport vision includes Metrolink extensions and a new tram-train link in and around Middleton to feed the incoming Atom Valley employment developments.

In Bolton two huge housing schemes have taken steps forward recently. A new 230-home estate plan for agricultural land near to the M61 has been unveiled.

In the Westhoughton area of the borough, proposals have been tabled for a new Park Avenue link road to ease congestion at Chequerbent roundabout; 1,450 homes; employment space; and a 15-acre park. 

Here is a breakdown of each borough’s recently submitted public notices…

Bolton: The massive plans that would see 230 homes built on green belt at side of M61

A developer has revealed plans for a new 230-home estate on green belt land. Persimmon have published a public consultation document for a green field site on Chew Moor Lane, Westhoughton.

The homes are earmarked for current agricultural land between Lostock Cricket Club to Bolton Road. The land, close to the M61, is currently two field parcels separated by a farm access track running west to east.

Persimmon said the field parcels are subdivided by fencing into a number of horse paddocks. There is no current planning application for the development, but that is expected to be submitted after a period of consultation.

Plans submitted for 1,450 home estate, major relief road and a new park near M61

Plans have been tabled for a huge residential scheme on land close to the M61. Peel Land plans to develop what they have named Lee Hall in Westhoughton, following public consultation in October.

The plans include a new Park Avenue link road to ease congestion at Chequerbent roundabout, 1,450 homes, employment space and a 15-acre park. Peel said the Lee Hall development is one of the first proposals to form part of the Northfold growth initiative across Bolton and Wigan. 

It said the family and affordable homes will help address the ‘longstanding shortfall of new homes in Bolton’. The developer said if the project was approved it will create 480 new permanent jobs on-site and many more during the construction phase.

Manchester: The major Metrolink and Manchester Airport plans in the works

Plans to build a new Metrolink stop and tram line for Manchester Airport are being seriously considered, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has learned.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is weighing up constructing a Metrolink station for Manchester Airport’s new £1.3bn Terminal 2 building. It would sit on a new ‘Western leg’ of the existing tram line.

The LDRS now understands TfGM bosses are proposing services stop at the existing Manchester Airport rail and tram station before heading on to newly-constructed tracks, where the Terminal 2 halt would be built. From there, passengers would cross the M56, wind their way through Davenport Green, and connect up with the existing Airport Metrolink line at Roundthorn.

Oldham: Former pub could be turned into 17-bed HMO and women only gym

A former pub in Oldham town centre could be turned into a huge HMO and women only gym. The former Boltmakers Rest, opposite the Mahdlo Youth Zone on Rock Street, may soon receive a new lease of life as a 17-bed shared house, according to plans submitted to Oldham Council.

The developer, solicitor Monira Khatun Hussain from Maya Law LTD, intends to ‘completely refurbish the dilapidated public house into a modern and high-spec gym and residential complex’. The pub shut down in 2023, according to CAMRA records, and the property struggled to find a new owner.

The boarded-up and deteriorating building has attracted ‘unwanted attention’ such as vandalism, break-ins, and anti-social behaviour, according to planning papers.

Rochdale: Major tram-train transport scheme for massive employment site given green light

A major transport vision including Metrolink extensions and a new tram-train link for north Manchester has been endorsed by town hall bosses.

The new transport links will help connect homes and people to the incoming Northern Gateway project, which is set to become one of the largest and most accessible employment and innovation hubs in the region, driving substantial investment into Greater Manchester.

It will be complemented by the delivery of new homes and infrastructure within the wider Atom Valley scheme, requiring a robust transport network to connect all areas together.

Metrolink extensions to Middleton as well as the new tram-train are seen as key in these plans.

Salford: Salford gears up for an enormous change

Salford is gearing up for enormous changes with around 67,000 new homes in the pipeline over the next 20 years. These will be spread across the borough, with places such as Salford Quays and the city centre earmarked as key areas for investment and expansion, the council said, alongside Salford’s towns. 

It’s part of a plan known as the Salford growth and regeneration partnership, which comes at a time when Salford’s population is growing, and large redevelopment projects are taking place such as the £2.5bn Salford Crescent scheme. 

The city is also set to benefit from changes as part of the western gateway project, where places in Salford and Trafford have been chosen as sites for new homes and businesses.

Stockport: Former town centre pub could be demolished to make way for 17-storey tower

A former pub in Stockport town centre could be knocked down to make way for a tower stretching 17-storeys high. Plans have been sent to Stockport council for consideration and would bring 76 new apartments to the town replacing The George on Wellington Road, based opposite Merseyway Shopping Centre and near Stockport Viaduct. 

These homes would be based in a part-12, part-17 storey building, in what has been dubbed a ‘gateway development’ that could ‘encourage further regeneration within Stockport town centre.’

It comes as major regeneration work is taking place in Stockport, in a £1bn plan to build new homes and transport infrastructure which has led to the opening of Stockport Transport Interchange among other projects.

Greek Street, Stockport – Road Closure

Until Spring 2026, Greek Street roundabout in Stockport will be closed for railway bridge replacement works.

Works expected to last until Wednesday, April 1.

Tameside: This land is no longer needed, and it’s about to be ‘unlocked’ to make way for hundreds of homes

Hundreds of new affordable homes could soon be built in Tameside on ‘unlocked’ council-owned land. Town hall bosses have signed off on a plan to release land earmarked for housing.

It could mean around 485 new social and affordable homes being built as the council battles to meet the needs of Tameside’s population and tackle homelessness. The local authority is working with housing providers to build homes quickly on land they no longer need.

Bosses want to build homes that match local needs, including family homes, apartments and supported housing.

Mottram-in-Longdendale/Hollingworth, Tameside

Planned road layout changes will take place on Roe Cross Road & A57 Mottram Moor. The preliminary works are part of a wider project to build two new link roads between Manchester and Sheffield.

Works expected to last until January 31, 2028.

Trafford : Non-league football club set to extend its fan zone

Fifth-tier football club Altrincham has applied for planning permission to extend the fan zone area at its ground.

The club, which regularly attracts more than 2,000 spectators to its J Davidson Stadium on Moss Lane, has submitted a planning application to Trafford council for consent to expand the area currently measuring 2,500 sq ft.

A previous application was submitted five years ago, amid the Covid pandemic, followed by an amended one in 2023 that was approved in 2024.

Under the plans, the container that home to the club shop would be resited, making the exit from the ground easier and safer.