Moves to support Whitefield town centre

Thursday, 16 March 2023 15:45

By David Murphy

Plans to improve the town centre of Whitefield have taken another step forward as part of moves to ensure that all parts of the borough are regenerated.

The council has appointed architectural company Planit-IE to oversee the production of a town centre plan, identifying key issues and opportunities in Whitefield.

The town is to receive support from the High Street Task Force, a national organisation supporting local authorities to bring about long-term change to towns and cities. Planit-IE will carry out consultation with the local community in the coming few weeks before the Task Force visits in June.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, leader of the council, said: “We are determined to ensure that every part of our borough is well prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

“We are already well on with plans for Bury, Ramsbottom, Radcliffe and Prestwich, so it is important that the other centres in our borough receive the support necessary to enable them to fulfil their own potential.

“This is not just about making physical changes to the high street and wider town, though. Whitefield includes significant areas of deprivation, where many people are struggling even more now with the cost-of-living crisis. As deprivation and inequality were key factors in our borough being selected by the Task Force, this could give us the opportunity to tackle a wide range of issues and lift the whole town and community.

“We want all residents across Whitefield and Unsworth to be part of this process.”