Elton Reservoir (PfE policy JPA7)

The Elton Reservoir site is Bury’s largest residential allocation and offers the opportunity to create much-needed homes within a vibrant, sustainable new community in a parkland setting in harmony with nature. 

What the Elton Reservoir site will deliver

• 3,500 new homes 

• Affordable housing in line with policy (currently 25%, around 875 affordable homes) 

• Specialist and older persons accommodation 

• New two-form entry primary school with potential for it to grow to a three-form entry should it be required. 

• Three local centres containing new community, retail and health facilities to serve the needs of the new residents (and existing residents) 

• New Metrolink stop and public transport hub 

• New link road through the site to provide access, enable active travel movement and provide resilience on the existing highway network 

• Off-site highway works to mitigate for the development 

• Active Travel network including cycleways and pedestrian links 

• Green infrastructure including nature park, heritage park, public open spaces, sports facilities and playgrounds 

• Ecological mitigation and biodiversity net gain 

• Surface water attenuation, SuDS and measures to protect hydrology and water quality 

Elton Reservoir Development Framework

The Elton Reservoir Development Framework (ERDF) will establish the key principles for the development of the site and establish a policy/spatial framework against which future planning applications on the site will be considered.

The draft development framework 

Consultation on the Draft Development Frameworks for Elton Reservoir, Walshaw and Simister Bowlee took place between 13 February and 27 March 2026. This included three public engagement events held during February. We are now thoroughly considering all comments submitted.

If necessary, the Development Frameworks will be amended in response to comments.

The Frameworks will then go back to Cabinet to agree to their adoption.

The Frameworks can then be used to inform decision-making on any planning applications on the three sites.

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening

The Council has undertaken an initial screening of the draft ERDF to determine whether there is a need for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in accordance with Regulation 9 (3) of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004 and European Directive 2001/42/C. Similarly, the Council has undertaken an initial screening of the ERDF to determine whether there is a need for a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) in accordance with Regulation 63 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended) and European Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive).

Consultation Statement

Regulation 12(a) of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 requires the Council to produce a consultation statement before adoption of the ERDF and Regulation 12(b) requires the Council to publish the documents (including a ‘consultation statement’) for a minimum 4-week consultation.

Bury West Transport Framework

The Bury West Transport Framework presents our transport vision for the Elton Reservoir and Walshaw development sites. It sets out the infrastructure and services needed to unlock their full potential and provides a clear delivery plan to support sustainable and inclusive growth.

The framework sets out the required transport infrastructure and services needed to bring the sites forward in alignment with the transport vision and the GM Local Transport Plan.

It will support sound decision making through the planning process and will be used alongside Supplementary Planning Documents to inform decisions on applications and will  be a critical tool in making the case for and securing the investment needed to deliver the required transport infrastructure.