In this section we collated feedback from you and other Prestwich residents and shared it with yourprestwich.com.
As the feedback period has now closed, we have stopped accepting comments on this for now.
Feedback on how the Prestwich Regeneration Project could phase the project for the benefit of all
Shops
- It is essential that existing shops can continue to be accessible to all during all phases of the regeneration
- Iceland is also an important store for many people without transport or need to get a range of shoping items every day
All the independent shops need to get a reduced rent during building works. We need the variety and to encourage more.
The phasing needs to reflect the local population needs to ensure access to health care is available during the redevelopment- an appropriate building in the village locality.
Similar consideration must be afforded to all independent retailers to ensure the phasing of any redevelopment offers local residents access to these shops and retail units but also to sustain businesses throughout the redevelopment.
All independent retailers need to have a stake in the new development and be supported for the first three years of the new redevelopment opening to enable them to consolidate their business model in a new village – this could be a tapering contractual arrangement.
The USP of the village is independent traders not large faceless corporate retailers !
The phasing needs to reflect the local population needs to ensure access to health care is available during the redevelopment- an appropriate building in the village locality.
Similar consideration must be afforded to all independent retailers to ensure the phasing of any redevelopment offers local residents access to these shops and retail units but also to sustain businesses throughout the redevelopment.
All independent retailers need to have a stake in the new development and be supported for the first three years of the new redevelopment opening to enable them to consolidate their business model in a new village – this could be a tapering contractual arrangement.
The USP of the village is independent traders not large faceless corporate retailers !
Thought should be given to keeping some stores open throughout development as long as possible. They are a lifeline for many local people who cannot travel far. Also the medical centre is a vital part of the village and a presence should be maintained.
I assume 1) is about access to Radius during development ? re: 2) It’s up to Iceland whether they want to buy in to the new development. We can’t just say “there must be an Iceland/PurGym/Halifax” it’s up the private businesses to decide where their branches are located, based on market research. The JV does their research and decides what size/type of units to build to meet the market, e.g. 6 small trader units, 3 medium 1 large or whatever. 2) should really be “what public facilities do we need to maintain during the development” e.g. NHS, library, it’s arguable whether we need iceland when we have farmfoods + QS. I expect that one car park is going to close, and as all leases will have expired so the shops will have closed too. so people will go elsewhere for a while rather than contend with demolition & dumpertrucks etc. At the library session it was said that the development would start on BnR and phased towards the Metro link, so the residential plots will be last. I would expect the fairfax carpark will be first though, and the NHS last. micro managing phases of some shopping would be costly & painful for all involved, JV & residents.
Phasing of the development and who is going to actually develop (and fund) each part of the redevelopment will be critical to the success or otherwise of what is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ for Prestwich. The phasing will be dependent on the overall layout of the scheme which is far from being fixed (the current layout doesn’t work for lots of reasons) but as a basic principle it should at all times allow for the surrounding neighbourhood to function effectively and for businesses to continue trading and remain in the centre. The Health Centre is a critical part of the jig-saw here as it should be central to the community hub facility and the site of the Health Centre, would in my view be the most appropriate for a multi storey car park (freeing up Fairfax Road for houses and relieving pressure on Fairfax Road). It would therefore follow that construction of the community hub should be one of the first phases of the scheme, possibly on part of the existing Longfield car park (this would be feasible – we did as we will recall, lose part of this car park for 18 months during Covid). Demolition and redevelopment of the Longfield with shops, leisure uses and public space could then be next alongside construction of the new car park as a second phase. The development of houses on Fairfax Road and a mix of houses apartments and other uses on the rest of the Longfield Car park should then be the final phases. This may not be the most financially appealing phasing for the developer but given this development is likely to need some sort of public funding we need to be driven by what works for Prestwich in the long term
Construction and demolition need to be phased so that essential services, such as health and library services are maintained.
Notes of phasing:
1) I would have expected that a time and motion study would be done to see who uses the store and they access it (local people walking, car drivers etc)
2) It is essential that we do not lose any local independent shops, they make Prestwich Village Unique (Village Greens, The Foot Pod, Keg, Cask & Bottle, Percivals etc)
3) It is essential that car parking is available during the regeneration to allow people to park and use the shops, although the time and motion study should prove this
4) Putting existing business in portacabins on the car park I think would sign the death warrant for most unless it is really carefully managed, and although not a local business I can’t see The Halifax moving into a portacabin for 2 years
5) Many older residents are not able to walk to Tesco’s and so its important that shops are readily available to allow them to purchase fresh, affordable food
6) An active medical centre is essential and cannot be lost for any time, there is no alternative place to go to
7) As the build is likely to be spread over a 5 year period (at least) then nobody wants an eyesore so interim landscaping should be factored in. A huge wooden fence surrounding a ‘to be developed’ area of land would be awful
8) It is important that the development does not get delayed, according to https://prestwich.org.uk/history/places/longfield.html the last development in 1965 was put on hold for 2 years whilst a new contractor had to found, leaving residents with a pile of rubble for that period of time.
PHASING
– Develop infrastructure ahead of need from housing.
– Develop areas first that require time to bed-in/develop (e.g. green spaces, changes in travel options).
– Assess impact of meanwhile space & new initiatives to inform final community hub & shared spaces.
(Theme developed from environmental sub-group work)
Phasing of the development needs to be priorities so that services in the village centre are not lost. Therefore the independant retail business spaces and replacement medical facilities /GP surgery/health centre need to be built first.
Then the community services including the library, the multi purpose sprung dance floor/performance/cinema space with flexible walls for other uses.
Any appropriate short stay car parking to support stopping in Prestwich for shopping etc to support the economy needs to be maintained throughout the development.
The finally the new residential properties.
The planning application needs to state how the entire development will be phased with appropriate programme dates.
Community services, shops and multistorey car park before the housing goes in. It’s vital that adequate provision is given to shops to be able to operate during this time or they could move out and not come back. This includes charity shops which provide a service to a wide range of the community including more vulnerable people and those on lower incomes. Money raised by charity shops also supports local services, eg Bury Hospice relies on its shops to keep the Hospice going which is also used by Prestwich residents. We are in danger of losing this provision of affordable clothing, toys, shoes and household items for lower income families plus this a green resource, due to recycling, that must not be lost. People on lower incomes without transport are the most likely to be affected adversely during the construction phase and they need support.