Plans have been unveiled for more than 400 new homes on fields at the edge of Unsworth, with the land currently used for horse grazing.
The scheme, put forward by developer Wain Homes, would cover nearly 43 hectares and include a total of 403 homes, comprising a mix of houses, bungalows and flats. The site is off Castle Road and forms part of the Northern Gateway development area, which has been allocated for housing and industrial development through the Places for Everyone plan.
Part of wider Northern Gateway masterplan
The allocation has seen swathes of countryside removed from the green belt to allow construction. The wider masterplan includes up to 1,550 new homes, a new primary school and community facilities at Simister and Bowlee.
Separately, land at Heywood and Pilsworth, between junctions 18 and 19 of the M62, would host a 6.5 million square foot industrial estate with shops, leisure uses and a hotel.
Two-part planning application
The 403-home plan is split into two parts. Full planning permission is being sought from Bury council for 283 properties, which would occupy around three-quarters of the site. Outline permission is being sought for the remaining 120 homes, meaning approval in principle with full details to be submitted and judged later.
Documents show around 100 of the proposed properties would be classed as affordable, split between affordable rent and homes to buy at discounted rates. Access would be off Castle Road and Griffe Lane.
Biodiversity and open space plans
The existing Castle Brook through the site would be retained and incorporated into an area of public open space. Wain Homes has acknowledged it is unlikely to deliver the required 10pc biodiversity net gain on the land and would look to meet this obligation through off-site options.
Planning documents note the site has the potential to support protected species including badger, otters, vole and bats.
