350 homes and park and ride plans for 60 acres of green belt just yards from hard shoulder of M66

Plans have been submitted for a huge new housing estate, aemployment area and park and ride on green belt land next to the M66.

Plans have been submitted for a huge new housing estate, aemployment area and park and ride on green belt land next to the M66.

Hollins Strategic Land (HSL) said they will shortly be submitting a planning application for the residential-led development at a 60 acre site at Walmersley Brook, Bury.

It will include 350 new homes, a neighbourhood centre, a business area, green spaces and a park and ride facility.

Much of the site’s border is just yards from the M66 hard shoulder and the junction 3 northbound slip-road for vehicles leaving the motorway to get to Bury and Heywood.

It will also be extremely close to the A56 Walmersley Road, the current main arterial road link from the M66 to Bury town centre.

HSL intend to argue that the land is ‘grey belt’ meaning the proposed development is appropriate for the green belt.

In a consultation document HSL said the development ‘will help to meet the government’s aim to significantly boost the supply of new housing’.

HSL added that there would be a ‘neighbourhood centre’ at the site, which may include a supermarket, hotel, pub, restaurant and a café.

The developer claims that part fo the development could create more than 100 full-time jobs in a location close to east Bury, the most deprived neighbourhood in the borough.

They added that a park and ride facility would be built ‘to help ease congestion issues in Bury and to alleviate parking problems in nearby Ramsbottom’.

HSL, said: “Our vision is to create an organic extension to north east Bury that is integrated into the existing built fabric in terms of design and layout, including pedestrian and cycle connectivity to local services.

“The development will provide a mix of housing, commercial, employment, retail and community facilities to support the growth and enhance the
sustainability of north east Bury.”

HSL said new road access are proposed from Walmersley Road and from Walmersley Old Road.

They said: “These will have the effect of distributing traffic generated by the development and reducing the level of side road turning movements.

“Each access point on Walmersley Road has been developed to reflect the existing 40mph speed restriction. “However, there is an opportunity to benefit pedestrian and cycle safety and amenity by extending a 30mph restriction along the site frontage.”

Also included in the plans is an enhanced ‘village link’, with improved surfacing and off-shoots at the development such as along Walmersley Brook.

HSL said the park and ride facility would encourage the use of public transport for trips into Bury town centre.

The said: “People travelling to Bury from the north would be able to leave their house by motor vehicle but avoid the congestion in the town centre, taking
advantage of the efficient and regular bus service.

“The facility would also respond to parking pressures in Ramsbottom by allowing visitors to avoid parking in the town, with easy access from the south via the M66. It would be of particular benefit during events, such as the Chocolate Festival, when the town is flooded with visitors.”

The term ‘grey belt’ is derived from the government’s pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes over the next five years. Under current green belt rules, it is difficult to build on the green belt as applicants need to demonstrate ‘very special circumstances’ to justify planning permission.

The term ‘grey belt’ is used to describe land within the green belt that is either previously developed, or while undeveloped, doesn’t significantly
contribute to the green belt’s core purposes.

The government also said that brownfield sites should be prioritised first.

HSL are holding a public consultation on the plans with people able to comment by emailing consultation@hsland.co.uk visiting their website.

The consultation will close at 5pm on Sunday, September 14.