Plans have been submitted for the largest proposed employment site in Greater Manchester.
The Northern Gateway Development Vehicle (NGDV), a 50/50 partnership between Manchester-headquartered Russell LDP and Harworth Group, has lodged an outline planning application with Bury and Rochdale Councils for the delivery of the employment development.
The proposed initial phase of Northern Gateway includes up to 6.5 million sq ft of employment space, making it one of the largest employment sites in the region, targeting advanced manufacturing, industrial and logistics sectors, supporting 20,000 jobs.
The application also outlines plans for supporting infrastructure, including retail and leisure space, a hotel and landscaped green open areas, all linked by a comprehensive travel network.
This proposal accounts for roughly half of the total proposed floorspace and could support up to 10,000 jobs across areas such as research and development, AI, robotics and logistics.
Once completed, the first phase of the scheme would be expected to contribute £630m of GVA (gross value added) to the regional economy each year and annual business rates of around £20m to support council services.
Located within the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone, the site was allocated in the Places for Everyone (PfE) joint development plan and is strategically located at the intersection of the M60, M62 and M66 motorways, straddling the Bury and Rochdale border.
Helen Hartley, planning associate director at Russell LDP, said: “This is a major milestone in delivering a nationally important employment destination in the North West. Northern Gateway is a transformative opportunity, many years in the making, that will create thousands of jobs and bring lasting benefits to the local area and wider region.
“With sustainable design at its core, our masterplan will create a thriving environment of high-quality employment units, transport and active travel routes and large areas of new, publicly accessible parkland attracting leading local, national and international employers.”
Lynda Shillaw, chief executive at Harworth Group PLC, added: “Northern Gateway will transform the North West and its economy. Focussed on advanced manufacturing, industrial and logistics, and emerging sectors, it will provide a catalyst for growth, elevating the potential of the North West for both existing businesses to expand and new national and international investment in the region.
“The plans will put the northern conurbation of Greater Manchester on the map as a destination for jobs and skills, driving opportunities for future generations and delivering inclusive growth.”
