Plans for major regeneration in five Greater Manchester towns have taken a step forward after Mayor Bev Craig gave her backing to create new mayoral development corporations (MDCs) for Oldham, Bolton, Middleton, and Ashton and Stalybridge.
Subject to final approval, the move will bring major changes and investment to four of the region’s boroughs. An MDC works as a regeneration partnership between the region’s mayor and local leaders. The Stockport MDC, set up by former mayor Andy Burnham, has been a big success and has led to more apartments being built as well as a new transport interchange opening.
Public consultations backed plans
Public consultations recently finished for new MDCs in the five Greater Manchester towns, all of which saw a majority of people back the plans. Papers published on the GMCA website have set out some of the changes on the way.
In Oldham, the regeneration area will include SportsTown around Boundary Park stadium, as well as covering Oldham town centre, Alexandra Park and Northern Roots to the south. The programme will focus on developing a health, sport science and innovation campus within the SportsTown masterplan, alongside investment in the town centre and building new homes.
Emma Barton, Oldham council’s deputy chief executive, said: "Oldham's MDC is about accessing new investment opportunities to support the acceleration of delivering the changes our communities, residents and businesses have been asking for, and deserve.
“Better transport connections, new homes, job opportunities, more cultural activity and retention and refurbishment of the beautiful but empty heritage buildings."
Bolton and Middleton plans
An MDC for Bolton town centre will ‘amplify’ the town’s profile and according to Bolton council, help build up to 2,000 new homes alongside 300 hotel beds and serviced apartments, and 4,000 sqm of food and beverage floorspace, among other changes.
A spokesperson for Bolton council said: “We have already delivered a number of successful regeneration projects across the town centre including Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens and the Wellsprings, while major schemes at Church Wharf and Crompton Place are now underway.
“A mayoral development corporation (MDC) would allow us to build on this momentum, and the results of the recent consultation show significant support from residents and businesses with a positive response rate of nearly 80 per cent.
“We welcome this latest decision ahead of the next stage in establishing the MDC.”
Big changes are planned in Middleton with an MDC aiming to help build around 1,500 new homes, including affordable properties. It is also set to ‘enhance the town's offer for commercial and leisure uses’ and improve public spaces.
Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale council, said: “There is already huge momentum behind the continued regeneration of this area and everyone involved is raring to go.
“Last night (September 7), I was at an event with the proposed MDC chairs, Steve Coogan and Rose Marley, where a room full of passionate and positive Middleton residents, community groups and businesses were being updated on major improvements which are already under way.
“The purchase of Warwick Mill and London House, bringing the post office back to the town centre, creating a new youth facility at the Middleton Scout Hut and repurposing the Old Grammar School are just a few of the things which are happening now. And even more will be possible down the line with a mayoral development corporation in place.”
Ashton and Stalybridge next steps
In Ashton and Stalybridge, a new MDC will help to build around 3,000 new homes, including affordable housing, alongside creating new jobs and ‘improved services and local facilities’.
Eleanor Wills, leader of Tameside council, said: “Our executive cabinet and then GMCA approval of the Ashton and Stalybridge Mayoral Development Corporation is a really important step for the future of these two towns and for the wider borough.
“MDCs are being established in locations that matter most to Greater Manchester’s growth, and this decision speaks volumes about the role that Ashton and Stalybridge can play in that regional growth vision.
“We have a big ambition to use better transport connections to unlock new homes, jobs, investment and opportunities for local people. Bringing Ashton and Stalybridge together through the MDC gives us a strong platform to do that and to show what transport-led regeneration can achieve, which can be replicated nationally.
“There is a lot of work to do, but we now have the opportunity to build on the strong support we have heard through consultation and to make the case for the investment needed to transform transport and create long-term growth.”
Decisions on the MDCs have been published on the GMCA website, with mayor Bev Craig having ‘agreed to designate the mayoral development area’ in each of the areas, subject to final approval. Future steps include notifying the government of the plans, according to the GMCA papers.
