Hannah Richardson

Transport for Greater Manchester is seeking a development partner for a residential scheme near Bury Interchange and Bury Market, potentially delivering 70 to 80 apartments in a building of up to six storeys. Although the project was initially advertised as fully affordable, TfGM now describes it as tenure agnostic while indicating that affordable housing remains likely. The partner would arrange funding, with detailed plans to be shaped through consultation and planning approval. The wider interchange redevelopment includes a new pedestrian footbridge, upgraded tram platforms and passenger facilities, and later a new enclosed, carbon-neutral transport hub with bus, tram, cycling and retail facilities. Phase-one work is expected to begin later in 2026, while phase two could start in 2028.

The former Greater Manchester Police headquarters site in Old Trafford has been demolished after more than 15 years of disuse. Far East Consortium and Trafford Council plan to redevelop the nine-acre brownfield site with around 1,250 homes, including 25% intended to be affordable, alongside a public park, shops, cafés, commercial space and a hotel. The predominantly car-free neighbourhood is expected to include cycle and walking routes, about 100 parking spaces and a car club. Ellis Llwyd Jones Hall will be retained and converted into a community leisure space, while flexible premises could accommodate services such as a GP surgery. A planning application is now expected in autumn 2026.

Wigan Council has removed four controversial greenbelt sites from its draft local plan, saying the borough can meet its employment needs without developing them. Campaigners welcomed the decision as a major victory, while the council also plans to oppose Peel Land’s Gibfield Park scheme, which could include 500 homes and 375,000 square metres of industrial space. Despite the greenbelt protections, Wigan still needs to plan for at least 16,527 new homes, with six major housing sites remaining in the draft plan and further regeneration planned across Wigan, Leigh and Ashton-in-Makerfield.

The £500m Therme Manchester resort next to the Trafford Centre has reached a key construction milestone with the installation of its first of 12 tower cranes. Completion is expected in late 2028. The planned resort will include lagoon and wave pools, saunas, spa facilities, waterslides and Olympic-sized pools across Relax, Restore and Play zones. Therme has also partnered with Marriott International to develop wellbeing-focused travel packages, customer experiences, design concepts and future global opportunities. Site hoardings have been turned into a public gallery featuring work by young people from Salford and Trafford, in partnership with Gorse Hill Studios.

Trafford Council has proposed allocating a greenspace off Dairyhouse Lane in Broadheath for 12,000 square metres of industrial and warehouse space. Local residents oppose the plan, citing fears of HGV traffic, congestion, flooding, loss of wildlife habitat and the disappearance of remaining farmland. Councillors from the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives also criticise the proposal, while the council says the site is next to an existing industrial estate, outside the green belt and needed for future employment. Public comments on the draft local plan are open until 18 September 2026, after which it is expected to go to the Government’s planning inspectorate.

Contracts have been finalised for a £6 million regeneration of Longford Park in Stretford, allowing work to begin in August 2026 and finish the following summer. The scheme includes a new BMX track, upgraded sports facilities, improvements to the play area, café, gardens and pets corner, a heritage interpretation of Longford Hall’s former footprint, and the conversion of Long Barn into a volunteer, training and skills hub. New paths, seating and lighting are also planned, while opening Longford Brook is being considered as part of flood-reduction measures. Trafford Council appointed The Casey Group to deliver the project; £3 million is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with the rest coming from other partners. Some temporary closures are expected, but the council aims to minimise disruption.

Bury Council has seized 397 packets of cigarettes, 51 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, 127 vapes and counterfeit or potentially unsafe children’s toys from five shops. The operation, supported by Greater Manchester Police and sniffer dog Grace from Wagtail UK, recovered goods estimated to be worth £8,500. The council says the seizures mark the beginning of a zero-tolerance, intelligence-led crackdown on illicit trading, with investigations continuing into supply chains and those responsible. Officials say the programme is intended to protect residents, public health and legitimate local businesses.

Care Quality Commission inspections found that Newhey Manor Residential Care Home in Rochdale remained inadequate and in special measures, with its unlocked entrance, unsafe medication practices, fire risks, inadequate risk assessments and limited stimulation for people with dementia among the concerns. Prema Court in Manchester also remained inadequate because inspectors could not complete a full assessment, although fire safety, management and cleanliness had improved. Bankfield House in Stockport was rated requires improvement, while Cherish Support Services, Tender Hands Homecare Ltd and Ashton Medical Centre received good overall ratings despite some identified weaknesses at Tender Hands and Bankfield House.

Residents of Baguley Crescent, an estate between Prestwich and Middleton, say the area has deteriorated over the past decade, citing stabbings, arson, squatters, fly-tipping, theft and antisocial behaviour. They contrast neglected, fire-damaged buildings and abandoned vehicles with the well-maintained parts of the estate. Bury Council, police and fire representatives held a clean-up and support day, but residents and local councillors doubt it will produce lasting change. MP Christian Wakeford is calling for the condemned building and remaining garages to be demolished, potentially using compulsory purchase powers, while the council says absent landlords, unclear ownership and limited legal powers complicate enforcement.

Uplift café owners Georgie and Paul Grzesiak are seeking a fourth location after the Christian Life Centre decided not to renew their lease. The café began after Paul was made redundant, survived COVID-related debt and relocations, and grew into a community hub offering social groups, affordable services, holiday breakfast clubs and pay-it-forward support. Its current basement venue has become unsuitable because of commercial toilet requirements and stair-safety concerns, despite being the café’s most financially successful site. The couple hopes to move into an empty King Street unit, work with developer Bruntwood and Trafford Council, and establish Uplift as a Community Interest Company, supported by customer testimonies and strong local backing.

Trafford Council faces a projected £25 million budget gap for 2027–28 after two consecutive large council tax increases and reliance on exceptional financial support. Council leader Tom Ross plans to seek additional funding from newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham, citing longstanding concerns over unfair settlements under the Fairer Funding Review. Financial pressures continue across adult and children’s services, as well as significant deficits in school budgets, with high‑needs funding shortfalls expected to persist without further government support.

Local leaders in Bury warn that illicit mini‑marts, vape shops and American candy stores are linked to organised crime, including drug dealing, money laundering and exploitation. A Labour‑led council motion passed unanimously commits to a zero‑tolerance approach, a borough‑wide summit and stronger support for legitimate businesses. Councillors highlight the impact on community safety, young people and local economies, while cross‑party support acknowledges the rise of illegal activity behind seemingly empty storefronts.