Bury council is moving forward with a £1.55 million plan to clear and level Pyramid Park, a derelict site that has been overgrown and plagued by anti-social behaviour for more than 15 years. The work, to be carried out by Conlon Construction Ltd, will prepare the 7.4-acre brownfield land for a residential development of around 150 new homes.
Park's History and Decline
Pyramid Park, off Market Street in Bury, was originally the site of Knowsley Street railway station and its goods yard. British Rail closed the line in 1970, and the land was reclaimed by the council to create a public park. However, low usage, anti-social behaviour, and access issues led to its decommissioning in 2010. Since then, the park has become overgrown, strewn with litter, and a hotspot for unsavoury activity, according to council documents.
Remediation and Development Plans
In 2023, council leaders approved the disposal of the land for housing. Before a developer can take over, the site requires remediation and de-risking. The £1.55 million contract with Conlon Construction, to be approved by the council's cabinet, will involve removing the three grassy pyramids that give the park its name, levelling the ground, excavating concrete remnants from the railway era, and carrying out drainage works. The process is expected to take around 15 weeks, finishing in early autumn. Funding comes from government grants, with the condition that a developer must take on the site by the end of March next year.
Proposed Housing Mix
The council expects the developer to propose a mix of modern apartments, family townhouses, and extra-care or supported living accommodation, including homes for care leavers. Council documents state: “The Pyramid Park Remediation Main Works will help unlock and bring a key council-owned, 7.4-acre disused brownfield site forward for high-quality, sustainable residential development in the near future.” The documents also note that the park's current state attracts anti-social behaviour due to poor visibility and lack of natural surveillance.
