Works starts on research and materials hub

Tuesday, 7 October 2025 13:55

By George Lythgoe

Work is set to begin on a facility that will unlock thousands of jobs in Rochdale.

The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), located at Kingsway Business Park near the M62, is set to become a catalyst for growth in advanced manufacturing, machinery, materials, and scientific research.

Designed as part of a wider innovation ecosystem, the centre will play a key role in establishing Atom Valley as a world-class hub for advanced materials and manufacturing.

Atom Valley is one of six growth locations in Greater Manchester and includes significant parts of Bury, Oldham and Rochdale. It is a vast area of 17 million sq ft employment space, with the potential to offer 20,000 ‘highly skilled’ roles in the technology and manufacturing sectors.

The SMMC will boast 2,724 sq m of space and will have laboratory space; workshops; metrology space; and design and analysis studios.

A lecture theatre; meeting rooms; flexible workspace for start-ups; office space for manufacturers; and a café are also included in the plans.

Following completion of the development agreement, developer Wilson Bowden Developments Limited will now begin delivery of the building, with completion expected by summer 2026.

DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services, has advised Rochdale Borough Council and the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on the acquisition and development

Lee Pickett, partner and joint head of regeneration at DWF, said: “We are delighted to have supported Rochdale Borough Council and the Rochdale Development Agency on this landmark project.

“The SMMC will help position Atom Valley at the forefront of sustainable materials and advanced manufacturing, creating a long-term legacy for the borough and beyond.”

Daniel Meredith, portfolio holder for regeneration and housing at Rochdale council, added: “The SMMC represents a major step forward for Atom Valley and Greater Manchester’s industrial strategy.

“This development will not only attract leading innovators and manufacturers, but also generate high-value jobs and growth across the region.”

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