The Greater Manchester Economic Development Commission has launched a project to reignite stalled development opportunities in the region’s key town centres.
Drivers Jonas has been appointed to put together an action plan for development in eight towns in the area – Stockport, Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Altrincham and Ashton-Under-Lyne.
The local authorities and DJ are holding a series of workshops with developers and local businesses to establish priorities over the next five to 10 years.
In Stockport, they are seeking views on how to bring forward the regeneration of the Bridgefield area after developer Lend Lease walked away from a £500m retail-led scheme last year. Options include breaking up the site into smaller schemes or creating an asset-backed regeneration vehicle.
In Rochdale, the council is looking at ways to bring forward a £100m regeneration of the town centre after a development agreement with Wilson Bowden Developments was terminated last year.
John Adams, DJ’s head of economic development, and Simon Bedford, a partner in the Manchester office, are leading the project.
Adams said: “We are reviewing the potential of each town centre in the context of the downturn.”
paul.norman@rbi.co.uk
