Bury council is poised to approve masterplans for three major developments that will transform swathes of countryside into 6,300 new homes, three primary schools, five local centres, a Metrolink tram stop, and two major new roads. The plans, covering 406 hectares at Elton Reservoir, Walshaw, and Simister Bowlee, are set to be debated by the Overview Scrutiny Committee on Monday (June 29) before going to the cabinet on Tuesday (June 30).
Elton Reservoir: Largest Development with 3,500 Homes
The Elton Reservoir scheme, the largest of the three, could deliver around 3,500 new homes on 244 hectares near Radcliffe. It includes Elton and Withins reservoirs and a stretch of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal. The housing mix will cater to families, first-time buyers, and affordable homes, with specialist and older person housing also required, according to the council.
Three new local centres with shops, restaurants, workspaces, and community facilities, along with a two-form entry primary school (expandable to three-form), are planned. A new Metrolink stop between Radcliffe and Bury stops, with a travel hub and public square, is also proposed. Three vehicle access points off the A58, Bury Road, and Spring Lane will connect via a new link road.
Of the 244 hectares, 50% is designated green belt land, with sites of biological importance hosting badgers, otters, brown hares, bats, amphibians, and birds. The masterplan aims for 10% biodiversity net gain through species-specific mitigation. However, 172 consultation responses raised concerns over habitat destruction, rat-running, parking pressures, congestion, and loss of privacy.
Simister Bowlee: 1,350 Homes to Address Housing Crisis
The Simister Bowlee site, straddling the Bury/Rochdale border, could deliver around 1,350 homes on 98 hectares, with most within Bury. The scheme aims to address Greater Manchester's housing and affordability crisis by providing a diverse mix of homes for all life stages, documents state. A new primary school, local centre with shops, health facilities, community space, and growing gardens, plus accessible green spaces, are included.
Access is proposed via Heywood Old Road, with traffic restrictions on Simister Lane to prevent rat-running. New bus services could be introduced. The consultation received 224 responses, with concerns over road impacts, neighbour effects, and loss of green spaces.
Walshaw: 1,250 Homes with Ecological Park
The Walshaw plan could deliver around 1,250 new homes, a primary school, and a local centre on 64 hectares between Walshaw Village and Elton. Specialist and older person accommodation is expected, with healthcare provision either on- or off-site. Community allotments and an ecological park along Walshaw Brook are suggested.
A new through road will relieve pressure on Church Street, High Street, and Bank Street, with a potential new bus route. Access will be from Booth Street and Lowercroft Road. Some 176 responses raised concerns over thousands of extra vehicles, rat-running, safety, habitat destruction for deer, birds, and bats, and strain on local services.
Council officers have stated that the principle of development on green belt land has been approved by the Government's planning inspectorate through the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone allocations, and cannot be re-opened. Each development will still require planning permission, proving no unacceptable impacts on nature, residents, services, or roads.
