Councils to consider plans for new community near Northern Gateway employment site

The proposal will be presented for consideration at upcoming cabinet meetings of Rochdale and Bury councils on 5 February 2026 and 11 February 2026. 

Rochdale and Bury councillors will be asked to approve consultation on a draft Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document or SPD for the Simister Bowlee site. The plans for high-quality new homes form part of the adopted Places for Everyone (PfE) Joint Development Plan, which allocates the site (known as Simister Bowlee JPA 1.2) for residential development.

The well-planned neighbourhood at Simister Bowlee will help to meet a critical local housing need, that will address the affordability crisis and support the housing of key workers and first-time buyers, whilst supporting long-term economic growth across the region.

Together with the strategic employment site (known as Northern Gateway JPA1.1), Northern Gateway will represent the largest combined employment and housing growth opportunity in the North of England, forming part of the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone. The SPD for JPA1.1 (the Northern Gateway Development Framework) was adopted by Rochdale and Bury councils in 2025.

The draft Development Framework under consideration by the council’s committees at their February meetings, supports future development on the Simister Bowlee site and sets out detailed guidance on the vision and proposed masterplan framework, including infrastructure, green spaces, movement and access, design principles, sustainability measures. In addition to the economic, social and environmental benefits to support people, place and the planet.

To meet the needs of the new community, the development will be required to deliver specific infrastructure, including a new primary school, upgrades to the local highway network, improved public transport, enhanced green spaces, community facilities and additional walking and cycling routes.

Rochdale Council’s Cabinet will consider the proposals on 5 February 2026, while the plan will go to Bury Council’s Cabinet on 11 February 2026.

Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, Leader of Bury Council said:

“The Simister Bowlee Development Framework sets out a clear vision for creating a well-planned, sustainable community of up to 1,550 new homes. With essential infrastructure, green spaces, a new primary school and improved transport links, this development will play a vital role in shaping the Northern Gateway and delivering lasting benefits for Bury, Rochdale, and the wider region.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council said:

“This new framework represents another important step forward for this area as part of the wider Atom Valley project, which will create thousands of highly skilled jobs and new homes in Rochdale and Bury.”

If the draft Simister Bowlee SPD is approved by the Cabinet of both Rochdale and Bury councils, the document will go out to public consultation in mid-February, with residents and businesses encouraged to find out more and feed in their views on the long-term vision for the site.