Plans to build hundreds of new homes next to Strangeways prison are among the most significant developments recently submitted to councils across Greater Manchester. The area around the prison on the edge of Manchester city centre has been earmarked for a major housing development for more than 300 people. While the future of Strangeways remains uncertain, the latest scheme involves repurposing a warehouse on Dutton Street. The building is currently used by Pure Padel under a temporary agreement, but the new proposals could see it demolished to make way for a residential tower block, according to planning reports.
Bolton
A shisha lounge in Bolton town centre has applied for planning consent to remain open. Rizla's Cafe Lounge on Basil Street is seeking temporary two-year consent from the council to allow the site to remain active pending future redevelopment proposals. The site was formerly a car sales pitch before the current business occupied it, operating as a shisha lounge and hot food takeaway since late 2024. A design and access statement on behalf of applicant Mr A Ali said the application seeks temporary permission for two years, pending the owner's longer-term redevelopment aspirations for retail development on the site.
Manchester
Massive changes could soon be on the way in Strangeways with plans for a major new housing development for more than 300 people. An application has been made to Manchester council to build a part 20-storey building with 189 homes at 24 Dutton Street, close to Strangeways prison. The proposals fall into an area designated for major regeneration, known as the Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework, a joint project from Manchester and Salford councils. Separately, a new Five Guys burger restaurant is set to open in Manchester. Planning documents show new signs for the fast food chain at the Manchester Fort shopping centre in Cheetham Hill, at unit 35, which used to be a Pizza Hut.
Rochdale
A housing estate in Rochdale has been overrun by cars for years, according to community members, but that is about to change following a successful campaign to find an alternative to cars clogging up the pavements. The Smallbridge estate, around Armstrong Hurst Close, Ditton Mead Close and Stonie Heyes Avenue, has struggled with the volume of families using cars, and councillors said this left residents fighting for spaces. Now, a plan for a new car park has been signed off, costing £200,000. The new car park will have 23 standard parking spaces and two disabled spaces on the land to the west of Stonie Heyes Avenue, next to the children's play area.
Stockport
Plans for the Bee Network's first purpose-built electric bus depot have been revealed. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is proposing to build the new fully electric facility in Stockport ahead of the current depot being demolished to make way for wider regeneration of the town centre. The former Lex Autolease site on Heathside Park Road has been identified as the location for the new electric vehicle (EV) depot, which will support Greater Manchester's growing fleet of zero-emission buses. This follows the latest orders of new electric Bee Network buses confirmed last month, putting Greater Manchester on track to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.
Wigan
Two rural routes on the outskirts of Wigan where vehicles persistently leave the road are set to see speed limits reduced. Wigan council said that after concerns raised by local residents, it intends to make the entire length of Tuckers Hill Brow and Meadow Pit Lane, Aspull into a 40mph limit. Tuckers Hill Brow is currently de-restricted, so the national speed limit of 60mph governs it. At its eastern end, just as the route enters Little Scotland, the speed limit reduces to 30mph prior to the road entering a residential area. At its northern end, on Riley Lane/Meadow Pit Lane, the speed limit was recently reduced by the council from 60mph to 40mph in response to a number of fatal road accidents along the route over a short period of time.
