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Simister/Bowlee - Northern Gateway (PfE policy JPA1.2)

This site is allocated for residential development through the Places for Everyone joint plan (policy JPA1.2 Simister Bowlee - Northern Gateway) and will be supported by new transport infrastructure, a new school, green space and a new local centre. 

The Simister Bowlee site provides the opportunity to deliver a comprehensive new neighbourhood that will support the sustainable growth of Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone and the transformational employment-led opportunity within the wider Northern Gateway at Heywood/Pilsworth (policy JPA1.1).

What the Simister Bowlee site will deliver

  • 1,550 new homes

  • 1,350 new homes in Bury (200 in Rochdale)

  • Affordable housing in line with policy (currently 25% - around 335 affordable homes in Bury)

  • Specialist and older persons’ accommodation

  • New two-form entry primary school – located within the Bury part of the site

  • New community and retail facilities to serve the needs of the new residents (and existing residents)

  • New spine road through the site to provide access throughout the site

  • Off-site highway works to mitigate for the development

  • Active Travel network including cycleways and pedestrian links

  • Green infrastructure including public open space, sports facilities and playgrounds

  • Ecological mitigation and biodiversity net gain

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

Simister Bowlee Development Framework

The Simister Bowlee Development Framework (SBDF) establishes the key principles for the development of the site and establishes a policy/spatial framework against which future planning applications on the site will be considered. It will also help Bury and Rochdale Councils to ensure that the ambitions for the site are realised and the benefits to the communities of Bury and Rochdale are maximised.

Your questions answered

Find answers to frequently asked questions grouped together by theme.

Strategic sites - Frequently asked questions

Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment Screening

The Council has undertaken an initial screening of the draft SBDF 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 SBDF 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).

Northern Gateway Transport Framework

The Northern Gateway Transport Framework defines our transport vision for this nationally significant development.It’s purpose is to identify and set a plan for delivering the transport infrastructure and services needed to unlock the full potential of the Northern Gateway, enabling sustainable and inclusive growth.

The framework sets out the required transport infrastructure and services needed to bring the site 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.