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 needs to enhance all environmental aspects of Prestwich Village as part its regeneration
Enhanced Wildlife Habitats
- Prestwich is blessed with Swifts, Swallows and bats. It is a simple matter to incorporate Swift boxes, bat boxes etc into the design of all the new buildings and will cost next to nothing. But gives both animals and people are much nicer environment to live in
- A perfect example of how to build habitats into developments can be seen here by SaveOurSuffolkSwifts on Twitter, what a fantastic idea
Living near Heaton park ( I understand this is owned and managed by MCC therefore it is difficult but it is stressful to watch the impact on the wildlife at the park during events such as Parklife and other large scale events. I have seen first hand what damage it does. Communication needs to be stronger by Bury Council including our local MP’s.
Green roofs and walls on larger buildings would be a great look and good for the environment.
Hopefully the existing trees could be saved and either replanted in the development or moved elsewhere.
Planters could be provided for community groups such as Incredible Edible.
The flat roofs on buildings should be sedum roofs and living walls should disguise unsightly walls – eg: car parks, rear of retail units, etc. GREEN OUR VILLAGE! There is evidence to suggest that green spaces, low air pollution, and good public health care infrastructures and systems support a better quality of life outcomes for individuals. Community Gardens/ Sitting areas to offer social connectivity. Ensure that the developers put in place the foundations to enable residents and retailers to adopt a sustainable way of living with ease n Prestwich Village. People need to feel safe, healthy, and happy by ensuring the environment is protected and appreciated.
Bury New Road is not only the most congested road in the North West but is also in the top 10 of all UK roads, with nitrous oxide levels as measured in 2018 being almost four times over the W.H.O maximum safe levels which presents a risk to health from chronic disease and premature deaths.
With petrol and diesel vehicles remaining on roads for years to come and the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone currently suspended with an uncertain future will consideration be given to:
1. Assessment of the potential impact to traffic congestion of the development and it’s affects on air quality levels and health risk impacts for those using, living, and working in the new development and to those in neighbouring areas bordering on the development including west of Bury New Road and north and south along the Bury New Road corridor.
2. Methods of reducing and/or mitigating the risks to health from poor air quality in all neighbourhoods and the development itself, one example being the relocation of the community hub potentially with health care facilities from its location in the plan to a position from close to Bury New Road to a position away from it.
GREEN SPACES:
– Accessible for all publicly.
– Wildlife friendly planting & features.
– Appropriate trees for carbon capture, water capture, shade, wind protection.
– Minimise building heights around public spaces.
– Link to surrounding green spaces (e.g. extension of wooden sculptures train in Clough/Warwick St Green)
(Theme complied through responds to Prestwich Environmental Forum’s Green Regeneration survey)
AIR QUALITY:
– Reduce car flow through area.
– Prioritise active travel & public transport
(Theme complied through responds to Prestwich Environmental Forum’s Green Regeneration survey)
DRAINAGE/WATER MANAGEMENT:
– Future-proof drainage systems
– Mixed materials for ground drainage
– Installation of SUDs
– Covered areas
(Theme complied through responds to Prestwich Environmental Forum’s Green Regeneration survey)
HEALTH & ACTIVITY:
– Ensure new health centre
– Places for activity & play
– Encouragement of active travel including outside of red line (proper links to the village).
(Theme complied through responds to Prestwich Environmental Forum’s Green Regeneration survey)
A biophillic theme (incorporating nature to assist health and wellbeing )should be incorporated throughout the development to improve health and wellbeing.
Green the village with maximum appropriate planting and greenery throughout the year.
Agree with all the comments above. The environment and sustainability should be considered at each phase of the development including sourcing of materials and their longevity. Maintainance contracts to ensure the upkeep and development of green areas is also important.
Wildlife corridors:
I wanted to quickly highlight the benefits of wildlife corridors in the village These corridors are important for maintaining biodiversity and allowing wildlife to move freely between habitats. By creating pathways for animals to travel through urban areas, we can reduce the impact of human development on their natural habitats and increase their chances of survival.
Overall, wildlife corridors are a crucial tool for promoting conservation in urban areas and preserving the natural world for generations to come.
Suggested links would be between the village centre and the tram tracks (entry points opposite the current health centre….and maybe leading around to the cricket club. Also round to St Mary’s school with its playing fields.mTraffic calming along Rectory lane would also facilitate this.
Building bat roosts into the new buildings:
Doing this correctly during constructed is cheap and provide several benefits, including:
1) Natural pest control: Bats are known to consume large quantities of insects, including many agricultural pests. By providing a habitat for bats, we can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and promote a more natural form of pest control.
2)Conservation of bat populations
3) Educational opportunities
4) Ecological diversity
Although this must be done under guidance (i.e. North facing, unheated etc) to be successful.
And this will be great for both the developers and the councils green credentials!
Will there be an attractive, sunny, sheltered outdoor space in the Longfield area for people to meet/attend events? Would it be enhanced with art/sculptures, seating, mixed surfaces and textures, lots of attractive green low maintenance plants etc? Such as Manchester’s Kampus scheme, Timekeepers Square in Salford and King’s Cross in London? With an automated watering system and/or hydroponics included.
Will there be carbon-capturing trees to help manage surface water, air quality and wind tunnels? And some fruit trees for the community to share.
Will Incredible Edibles and Prestwich Environmental Forum be consulted for this aspect of the design?
Could businesses use large planters on trolley wheels to define areas/provide greenery?
Should a water capture system be included somewhere in the area?
The concrete fountain its a place that people use every day. We sit there most mornings and lunches so see how heavily its used for people stopping for a rest, a chat, a coffee, a smoke, waiting for friends/family. Every morning teenagers meet here before school and run off some energy, play the odd game of football. Sometimes people use skateboards and scooters there and there are always toddlers and primary school children playing and climbing. The concrete seating is pretty indestructible and dries quickly after raining too. We watch the world go by here and it’s free. Cafes spilling out into a courtyard sounds fantastic but its not affordable to all.
We need to ensure the charity shops come back. I volunteer in one and they very much provide a community service for many people who come to visit – not just to buy at affordable prices and to support local charities but they also seem to appeal to some quite vulnerable people as well as a place to go to.
I don’t understand what Prestwich’s heritage is. I don’t think you can look at a lovely brick house in Prestwich then say you’ve recreated that heritage by shoving a modern bay window on a modern block of houses. If they really want to build in keeping then houses should be all red brick with some interesting stonework features.
I don’t understand what Prestwich’s heritage is. I don’t think you can look at a lovely brick house in Prestwich then say you’ve recreated that heritage by shoving a modern bay window on a modern block of houses. If they really want to build in keeping then houses should be all red brick with some interesting stonework features.
I like the fact that they want to ensure that the Village square gets as much sun as possible. Not obstructing the daylight with buildings
Concerned about housing (amount, design and materials, eventual look and feel) and need to be convinced on heights of buildings but I guess more on this as we go.