A multi-storey car park in Bury town centre could see almost 80 new homes built on top of it. The one-acre Q-Park site, in Knowsley Street, opposite the town hall, has long been earmarked for housing.
Currently home to a 404-space underground car park, the structure was built to take the weight of an additional six-storey building above it. However, the space above has remained vacant since the below-ground project was completed in 2009.
Anti-social behaviour concerns
Bury council has said the land 'regularly attracts anti-social behaviour' and its current appearance is 'detrimental to the wider street scheme'. The authority now wants to see new homes delivered on the site, with expectations that around 77 flats could be built there.
Town hall bosses are proposing to dispose of the site to Watson Construction Ltd, which was selected for the project through a tendering process. Watson Construction are also expected to take on the nearby project at Pyramid Park, which could see around 138 homes built on it.
Pyramid Park history
The land, off Market Street, was the home of the Knowsley Street railway station and its associated goods yard. The line was closed by British Rail in 1970 and the land reclaimed by Bury council, which turned it into a public park.
But low usage, anti-social behaviour and access issues led town hall bosses to decommission the site in 2010. The council wants to see any new homes on the site include a mix of modern apartments, family houses and extra-care or supported living accommodation.
Planning process and next steps
The full details of both schemes will be worked out through the standard planning process, with approval needed to be granted for them to progress. Bury council's cabinet is expected to sign off on the disposal of the two sites at its meeting this week. In addition to allowing their development, bosses said this will generate cash and reduce the revenue costs associated with owning them.
