đźš« Why we’re Objecting to the Northern Gateway Development (JPA 1.1)
Bury Independents have deep concerns about the Northern Gateway development proposal (JPA 1.1), which is currently under review by Bury and Rochdale Councils. While this massive project is being presented as a bold step forward for the local economy, a closer look reveals a deeply flawed plan that offers little benefit to our communities—and could do long-term damage to our roads, environment, and quality of life.
📉 10,000 Jobs? Only 95 for Bury and Rochdale
The developers claim that this portion of the project will create 10,000 jobs over the next 19 years. That might sound impressive—until you read the fine print. According to their own figures, only 95 of those jobs are expected to go to residents of Bury and Rochdale. That’s less than 1%.
This raises serious questions about who this development is really for. If the vast majority of jobs are going to people from outside the area, how can this be considered a benefit to the communities who will host (and bear the costs of) the development?
đźš— More Cars, More Traffic, More Pollution
If 9,900 of these jobs are going to people who don’t live locally, how are they going to get to work? Most likely: by car.
This means thousands of extra vehicles travelling in and out of the area every single day—putting immense pressure on already stretched roads like Manchester Road, Hollins Lane, Croft Lane and the M60, M62, and M66 motorways. Congestion, delays, and air pollution will all increase. And yet, the planning application provides no credible plan for how this will be managed or reduced.
This isn’t just inconvenient. It’s unsustainable.
🛑 This Goes Against National and Local Policy
The government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) is clear: major developments should limit the need for travel and promote sustainable transport options. This proposal does the exact opposite. The “Places for Everyone” (PfE) plan adopted by Bury and Rochdale Councils also talks about inclusive growth and delivering benefits to local residents. But if 99% of the jobs created won’t even go to local people, how is that “inclusive”?
This development fails to deliver on both national and local planning goals. We can’t mention the loss of greenbelt in our objections to the planning officers, as, thanks to PfE, this area of Pilsworth has now been removed from the greenbelt allocation.
⚠️ Our Communities Deserve Better
Let’s be clear: this isn’t about being against development or progress. It’s about demanding development that actually works for the people who live here. Local residents should benefit from job opportunities created on their doorstep. Our roads shouldn’t be overrun by commuters from across the region because developers didn’t plan sustainably. And our councils shouldn’t approve projects that leave us with the problems and give others the rewards.
📢 Make Your Voice Heard
I’ve submitted a formal objection to the councils—and I encourage others to do the same. Planning decisions like this shape our future for decades. If we don’t speak up now, we may be left dealing with the consequences for years to come.
You can object at Bury Council’s planning portal here:
https://planning.bury.gov.uk/online-applications/centralDistribution.do?caseType=Application&keyVal=_BURY_DCAPR_63198
or email your objection to [email protected] quoting planning reference 71867.
