Creating prosperity for the future

Hello everyone. As you know, regenerating our towns and helping businesses to create prosperity are among our highest priorities.

Last time I mentioned some of the highest profile schemes that are now coming to fruition, such as the new leisure developments and high school in Radcliffe.

But we want to ensure that all parts of our borough benefit, even if that is on a smaller scale.

This week, we launched the latest consultation on plans to improve Whitefield town centre.

The latest draft proposals follow visits from the Government’s High Streets Task Force, and put forward ideas for regeneration and change led by local people.

Among the proposals are: relocating GP and health services from the deteriorating Uplands medical centre to the former Whitefield Library site; making Whitefield town centre easier to navigate, including the possible redesign of Bury New Road, and installing new crossings and signage to help walkers, cyclists and public transport users; and creating a new Family Hub to provide a wide range of support to parents/carers and young people.

To read the plans and have your say, go to
https://www.bury.gov.uk/planning-building-control/regeneration/whitefield-town-centre-plan.

Drop-in events are also taking place at Morrisons on Friday 2 February (10am to 1pm) and on Saturday 3 February (12pm to 3pm).

The deadline for submitting views is Friday 16 February – please take this opportunity to have your say.

Meanwhile, we’re proud to be hosting the first Bury Regeneration Expo next Thursday in Ramsbottom.

Organised by Bury Council, in partnership with the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, the event will showcase the many game-changing developments coming to our borough.

Myself and Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture, economy and skills, will be launching Bury’s new Economic Development Strategy which sets out our ambitions for Bury the Place, the People and the Economy.

At the Expo, our Joint Venture partners and regeneration developers will explain how these transformative regeneration plans will ensure Bury’s prosperity and the role of business in turning dreams into realities.

This is what the key to regeneration success is all about – the council, business and residents all working together.