Issue - meetings

Report from the Council Leader Councillor E O’Brien Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth is attached

Councillor Vernon recommended that the discussion should be on all three reports as a lot of the conversation would be relevant to each report.  Members agreed with this approach.

Councillor O’Brien introduced the reports and thanked the team for all their hard work pulling the information together.   Members were reminded that sites and frameworks being discussed have been a big issue in Bury over the last decade.  The discussion at this meeting is not about rerunning those debates but about the reports presented. 

There is a requirement to make sure there is the infrastructure to underpin each development including:

• Transport infrastructure such as appropriate new roads, tram stops, public transport, active travel
• Social infrastructure such as public services, schools, health, shops, local centres, recreation provision
• Green and blue infrastructure such as remining land nature parks, ecological mitigations, drainage

The frameworks seek to put in place the strongest possible safeguards to protect the infrastructure. 

Subject to the decision taken at cabinet on 11 February 2026, the consultation around these frameworks will be launched.  Welcome all constructive feedback, suggestions and opportunity to make these plans better, stronger and clearer.

Councillor Southworth asked a question around existing public rights of way and when these would be updated.  Councillor O’Brien responded that this is an example where development can enhance some areas.  Through planning conditions we can ensure that public rights of way are upgraded and made more accessible.

Councillor Southworth asked a further question regarding the ecology strategy plan and whether the council were going to purchase some of the open space specifically around the Walshaw site?  Councillor O’Brien responded that the council would be looking to work with developers to ensure off road paths are maintained. 

Councillor Harris asked a question around sustainability of the Walshaw site as well as existing issues with traffic, lack of school places and drainage.  Councillor O’Brien responded that there will be new link roads and there is a separate report being taken to cabinet on the Bury West Transport Framework which looks in detail at the types of planning that goes into these schemes. Better public transport interventions especially connecting Atom Valley to Bury and a tram/train route between Bury and Heywood are being reviewed including making walking and cycling more accessible. Councillor O’Brien also highlighted the opportunities to fix some of the infrastructure around drainage and make it better than it is now including looking at sustainable drainage systems.

Councillor Harris queried the cost to upgrade water systems and Councillor O’Brien agreed that this would be an issue. It was highlighted that at planning application stage, they will need to be accompanied by sustainable drainage proposals.

Councillor Moss queried drainage issues at the Simister Bowlee site with increased hard surfacing from development that may exacerbate flooding on the existing area.  Councillor O’Brien confirmed that the measures discussed regarding Walshaw will also be in place at Elton and Simister Bowlee.

Councillor Birchmore queried the term ‘affordable housing’.  Councillor O’Brien agreed it was a subjective word, there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93