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Home , Bolton, Farnworth, Little Hulton, Roe Green, Salford Shopping Centre, Tyldesley

THE PLAN VOLUME 4 | ATHERTON

CONTENTS AT 1. INTRODUCTION HERTON 2. ATHERTON TODAY 3. OUR VISION 4. DELIVERY FOREWORD

With its great schools, high quality network. greenspace, attractive heritage buildings and excellent road and rail We know that a high quality, diverse transport connections, Atherton has housing offer is key to supporting much to be proud of. town centres. Atherton already has several developments underway and Atherton’s centre continues to more are planned, including up to thrive as a bustling local town with a 2,000 new homes to the south and diverse mix of unique independent east of the town centre. We must shops and leisure venues and ensure that we create sustainable a developing quality night-time urban neighbourhoods through new economy with an increasing number housing development, providing not of busy restaurants, cafes and only high-quality homes but also the bars. Atherton’s location close to opportunity to live, work and play in a also offers great potential desirable setting. for future growth. Atherton is one of the best-connected This Plan is the first step in helping towns in the north west, with road to achieve that growth, highlighting links to the M61, M60 and M6 what we already have in the town motorways and with a choice of and surrounding area, and what we two railway stations. More recently, can build on for the future. Atherton has also benefitted from the Leigh – – Manchester A considerable opportunity is the Guided Busway and there are further huge amount of development in opportunities to improve transport and around the town. By way of infrastructure - for example the example, Logistics North is a major development of “tram-train” links employment sites which is less than which would enable local residents to 2 miles from Atherton town centre, access Metro-style transport services and has already attracted a range to and Manchester using the of international companies, creating existing rail network. new job and business opportunities. It’s important not only that we There are many exciting capture the full value and benefits opportunities for Atherton to take of this development for Atherton advantage of over the next few years, residents, but that we continue to but this will only be achieved through build on this growth, attracting more the combined efforts of the private high-quality employers to Atherton, and public sectors, local businesses, especially through the supply chain residents and other stakeholders. There is a genuine sense of partners alike to help Atherton realise community in Atherton and testament its full potential, creating sustainable to this is the considerable effort from growth for all. local councillors in engaging with local businesses and residents to Councillor David Molyneux help shape this Plan. We look forward to working alongside developers, inward investors, businesses, elected members, residents and strategic 01 INTRODUCTION

Exciting things are happening in Whilst socially Atherton very much . As the biggest identifies with Manchester, it also economy and most populous city has close infrastructure links with region in the Northern Powerhouse, City Region and too. Greater Manchester is ‘turning As such, Atherton is exceptionally heads’. well positioned to continue to grow.

Atherton’s location close to Atherton is currently home to around and 15,000 people; however this is the centre of other large towns, set to increase with new housing has helped it become both an developments already in the pipeline established commuter town and creating over 1,700 new homes. a thriving business location – and means it is well-positioned to take Founded in the 13th century, advantage of future growth too. Atherton has its roots as a traditional market town, and has a range of Located in the of Wigan, listed buildings and a town centre Atherton will play a central role in conservation area that characterise a borough-wide economy that is its rich history. Going forward, we anticipated to grow to £5.2 billion want Atherton to play a bigger role as over the next 10-years, as well as a district centre of the borough, and delivering 10,000 new jobs and it is a town with fantastic potential to 10,000 new homes across Wigan. do so. Atherton is already one of the North document does not limit itself to the West’s best connected small towns, town centre, this is a core priority and by both road and rail. It’s adjacent to an area in which we believe some of the M61, and less than 30 mins from the biggest gains can be made over the centre of Manchester using the coming years. North West’s first guided busway. Atherton also has excellent rail We know that Atherton is already a connections with two stations on the great place to live, work and visit, Manchester to line. but it has the ingredients to become one of the most desirable places in This Investment Framework sets out the North-West. This document is our our objectives and aspirations for plan to achieve that. Atherton, outlining several ambitious schemes, regeneration priorities and development areas. Whilst this

Atherton

Manchester 02 ATHERTON TODAY

CONNECTIVITY

Located between the A580 East Lancs Road, M6, M60, M58 and M61, as well as close to the M62 and M56, Atherton is one of the best connected towns in the North West.

Atherton has a choice of two local railway stations, Atherton and Hag Fold, providing local services to Manchester and Wigan and, further afield, to Southport and . The closest major rail hub is Wigan, recently announced as one of the new HS2 hubs, and this provides additional frequent local services as well as direct national connections including , Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. A potential tram-train route Manchester – Atherton – Wigan has been considered by Transport for Greater Manchester and included as part of their tram-train strategy for Greater Manchester, to be taken forward in conjunction with the wider work on future transport priorities and the emerging components of a longer-term transport strategy. Atherton is a short drive from reduces peak journey times to/ both Manchester and Liverpool from Manchester by 30-minutes. International Airports too – providing The multi-award winning hybrid bus invaluable global connections. The service features Wi-Fi, USB charging North West’s first guided busway points, comfortable leather seating also provides a highly reliable, and climate control – all of which low-emissions bus service between significantly enhance passenger Atherton and Manchester along experience. Already, passenger use a prioritised route. The scheme has far exceeded its targets with over connects communities and business 2 million passengers travelling in the centres along the route, and first year of operation.

V2

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6 6 0 Terminus point V1 5 Salford Shopping Salford A Vantage bus stop Centre Crescent A 6 University Park & Ride site P&R Pendleton of Salford Bus runs in the direction of arrow Manchester City Centre see map overleaf for route details within the city centre and Oxford Road 20% of respondents use the busway as opposed to their previous journey by car. 98% satisfaction rate 36% commented that they could have made their daily commute by car, but instead choose to travel by bus.

IMPROVED CONNECTIVITY

LEIGH 50 MINS MANCHESTER

LIVERPOOL2 GATEWAY TO THE WORLD M58 GUIDED BUSWAY

EAST LANCS ROAD EAST LANCS ROAD L M6 L M LIVERPOOL M62 M62 LEIGH MANCHESTER LONDON in 84-mins (FROM WIGAN HS2 HUB)

FIRST YEAR TARGET - 800,000 PASSENGERS FIRST YEAR ACTUAL - 2,000,000 PASSENGERS EDUCATION new 550-acre country park nearing completion as part of the Logistics Atherton enjoys a fantastic choice of North development on the Bolton schools, with 8 primary schools, all border, less than a 15 minute drive within walking distance of the town away from the centre of town. centre. In addition, there is a choice of 3 secondary schools, including an LEISURE AND COMMUNITY independent academy, with several labelled ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’ Atherton is a 5 minute drive away in recent Ofsted reports. They are from the excellent sport and leisure complemented by high quality local facilities at , which is nurseries, and good access from the packed with exciting attractions for town to a range of post-16 provision the whole family. It offers everything - making Atherton a particularly including a superbly equipped gym, attractive place to raise a family. skate-park, adventure play area, 14 state of the art climbing walls and GREENSPACE two swimming pools, as well as a range of top quality outdoor pitches. There is an abundance of high- In addition, Atherton has a number quality green space throughout the of well used local pitches, and local area - from the formal urban leisure sports clubs. space of Atherton , to the natural beauty of the open farmland Atherton has a great sense of to the south and east. Atherton has community, with a number of thriving a great sense of community, with a local centres, including Atherton number of community groups who Town Hall, the Green Grass Centre are active in the management of the and the volunteer-run centre at town’s open spaces. The award- Dorset Road. These spaces facilitate winning Howe Bridge historical many community groups and mining , complete with its activities including painting, drama, Heritage Trail walks, is a mile away and a range of other crafts. from the town centre. There is a HOMES UNIQUE ATHERTON

Atherton has a wide range of quality As a long-established market town, housing, from Edwardian and Atherton has a vibrant and distinctive Victorian townhouses through to mix of independent businesses. modern homes. Together with the new developments already in the The retail area along Market Street pipeline, this extensive offer means provides Atherton’s core retail offer. there’s something for everyone. Here you can find an extensive array of grocery shops, food and drink The average house price is below outlets, hair and beauty specialists, the Wigan average, and substantially fashion retailers, and a plethora of below the average in Greater other high street services all meeting Manchester, and the wider North residents’ needs. West, making Atherton an attractive and affordable option for people The town has an active Business working in the regional centre. Partnership Group who provide regular events to attract more With excellent connectivity, schools, shoppers to the town and support leisure, green space, and homes local businesses. Atherton is a highly desirable, but still affordable, place to live. Atherton is also home to a small but well-regarded mix of highly rated cafés and restaurants, and the recent refurbishment of Atherton Town Hall with high quality meeting space and a tea room have added to this. Within a 5 minute walk of Market Street is Ena Mill, a destination retail outlet located in a Grade II listed mill building, where you can browse everything from high end fashion to household goods. BIG BUSINESS

The centre of Atherton is a 15 minute drive from the new Business Park at Logistics North on the outskirts of Bolton, one of the North West’s newest and largest business locations for distribution and manufacturing.

With excellent access to the M61, the Park is already a hive of activity for several high-profile businesses. It offers 4 million square feet of employment space across 250 acres. The market remains buoyant here, and that is reflected in recent investments such as Aldi’s 610,000 sq ft regional distribution centre, and Whistl’s new super depot for its northern operations.

We think there is a real opportunity to build upon this growth, to attract high-quality employers to Atherton, especially through the supply chain network. 03 OUR VISION

Our vision for Atherton is based on four principles:

ENHANCING OUR PLACE PROVIDING CONNECTED INFRASTRUCTURE Quality of place is paramount to thriving towns. A series of We recognise that infrastructure is interventions are set out throughout the network that connects people, this vision which seek to increase places, and enterprise together. We the quality of the existing built want the people of Atherton to have environment, and ensure future better connections to education, development is of a high standard. employment, services, and leisure facilities. STRENGTHENING OUR ENTERPRISE STRUCTURING OUR VISION

We know that both new and existing Our vision for Atherton has been businesses require support. We developed by focusing primarily will continue to nurture our strong upon the town centre, but also retail offer, whilst seeking to considering some of the major complement and enhance Atherton’s ‘strategic growth areas’ around distinctiveness through new Atherton. development. By structuring our approach EMPOWERING OUR PEOPLE around these two key themes, this Investment Framework provides a At the core of the Investment toolkit to enhance Atherton’s position Framework is a desire to support our relative to other North West towns people to achieve their ambitions. Promoting investments in the people of the town through education, job growth and access to employment will ensure that their success is evident throughout the town. Employers have long recognised the advantages of the high quality workforce in Atherton, and this is something we aim to build on. 03:01 ATHERTON TOWN CENTRE

The town centre is an established hub for local goods and services, but has significant potential for growth, diversification, and improvement. As such, we have developed a ‘7-point plan’ of objectives to transform the beating heart of Atherton.

03:02 STRATEGIC GROWTH AROUND ATHERTON

Strategic growth areas have been identified at Gibfield Park, housing/ employment land South and East of Atherton, Logistics North and Hulton Park, due to their significant potential to provide the homes, jobs or leisure space that Atherton requires as the town and borough continue to grow. ATHERTON TOWN CENTRE

THE AREA

Traditionally a market town, Atherton is looking to the future by diversifying its offer to meet current needs. The town has retained a good range of quality independent vendors and discount retailers, complemented by a small, but thriving number of high street names. In addition, Atherton has a strong leisure offer in its town centre including The Escape Rooms, Paintballing, the Dance and Soft Play Centres, Roller Rink and Rifle Range.

Whilst the catchment is principally local, Atherton has a strong and loyal customer base. The town centre is flat, and offers those with young children or mobility issues good access.

We have identified Market Street heritage area around the church as a gateway site and Ena Mill Designer Outlet as a major opportunity area in the town centre – both of which have significant potential for regeneration or further development.

Additionally, public realm and streetscape improvements along Market Street will refresh the principal retail area. OUR OBJECTIVES

1. STRENGTHEN OUR OFFER FOR attractive heritage buildings, and LOCAL BUSINESS a conservation area. There is an opportunity to improve the area Local businesses are the life around Atherton parish church to blood of towns like Atherton, provide a striking first impression and have the potential to create of the town, including lighting a diverse and unique offer to further highlight the sense of that attract a wide catchment arrival. of visitors. We will seek to support both new and existing Although few in number here, businesses; both directly through unused buildings can detract from business support and indirectly by the positives of a place. Atherton’s ensuring any new development is shops, especially along Market of an appropriate type and scale. Street, and the side streets which This will ensure that the existing radiate out, present a real value offer is complemented and for money investment. Carefully strengthened. considered design of shop fronts here will also significantly In addition, we will encourage enhance the image of this part of pop-up stalls as part of a Atherton. rejuvenated town hall to encourage new business start- 4. A HUB FOR NEW BUSINESS ups, and help them to establish a customer base. Atherton is well located amongst the North West’s biggest 2. DEVELOP OUR MAJOR economies, by both road and OPPORTUNITY AREA rail. Whilst big businesses have clearly already taken advantage Well located and of a good scale, of this at the nearby Logistics Ena Mill is already a successful North site, we firmly believe that designer retail outlet. there are other opportunities to take advantage of Atherton’s The site provides additional offer as a base for small and opportunities for business as well medium sized business, in the as residential development. town centre and surrounding area. In particular, there is an 3. REGENERATE OUR GATEWAY opportunity to support the town’s SITE AND UNDERUSED emerging quality evening offer, BUILDINGS with new restaurants and modern recently opened and in the First impressions count and the pipeline. eastern side of Atherton has many 5. IMPROVE THE STREETSCAPE 7. ACCESSIBILITY

Streetscape is an all- Atherton town centre is flat and encompassing term for the easily accessible for those with visual elements that make-up a disabilities, and offers plentiful, street; building frontages, roads, good quality, free parking. Market footways, street furniture, lighting, Street has restricted vehicle and trees. These elements access, providing a pleasant form the street’s character. and safe shopping environment. Improving the streetscape along It is regularly used as a training Market Street will help create an ground by Guide Dogs for the environment that is aesthetically Blind, who have their regional pleasing and strengthens centre based in the town. Atherton’s standing as a place to live, work and visit. There is a real opportunity to create something distinctive and A particular need is to provide a interesting using spaces along high quality canopy to provide an Market Street, many of which are area of shelter for shoppers. This sheltered and carry the potential could help to increase footfall to to create public spaces, to dwell benenfit local businesses, and or enjoy food and drink. Improved provide a pleasant shopping signage between the town centre environment in all weathers. and other leisure and retail outlets including , Victoria Mill 6. ENCOURAGE MORE TOWN and Ena Mill will help to increase CENTRE HOUSING footfall and support the town centre businesses. A high quality, diverse town centre housing offer is key to rejuvenating town centres. Atherton already has a number of developments underway on the Howe Bridge Mill site, at Summerhill Park and as part of the Ena Mill development. We will work with developers and landowners to encourage more housing close to and within the town centre. AMBITIONS

Quality Design and Desirable Atherton Brands Atherton is already a great example We want to both improve and expand of a town where people choose to Atherton’s offer. To do this we need live, visit and work. We want to boost to provide both a quality and unique this even further; providing more mix – particularly brands that are not options for people to live close to the located in adjacent towns and will town centre, more reasons to visit have a strong draw. Atherton, and more spaces where people choose to work (or even grow Development of an Appropriate their own business!). Type and Scale

New development should be proportionate to the size of Atherton Town Centre, but also be aesthetically pleasing. New retail, restaurants and cafes will improve the local offer and encourage dwell time.

Atherton Conservation Area

Nurturing Quality Local Business

Quality independent retailers provide an offer that is distinctive and appealing – they set places apart and contribute significantly to the desirability of a place to live. We will support new and existing quality businesses as a priority. Enhancing the Urban Environment

A number of schemes have been outlined that will boost the quality of streets in the town centre; from revamped shop frontages, to new spaces to enjoy or meet friends.

Living, Visiting and Working in IMPROVING LINKS

Our vision for the future of Atherton We also want to strike the right town centre is to further improve the balance between vehicles and links between the town centre and pedestrians in the town centre, the Strategic Growth Areas which providing a safe environment for surrounding the town, including shoppers whilst still supporting the Logistics North. We want to ensure excellent road links that currently that all residents can access the serve the area. employment opportunities the growth areas bring, by car, public or As part of this, we will explore sustainable transport. options to improve the quality of the streetscape and open spaces Part of the proposals at Gibfield alongside encouraging a greater use Park include a new link road which of the strong public transport network will provide better connections to within and around Atherton. the M61 and beyond to the wider motorway network across the North West. STRATEGIC GROWTH AROUND OUR OBJECTIVES ATHERTON Create High-Quality Local Jobs THE AREA We are aiming to build upon our Our vision for Atherton is supported core employment sectors as well as by four strategic development sites to attracting high-end businesses from the north, south east and west of the new sectors including advanced town. manufacturing, increasing the Between them, these four sites will number of quality local employment be significant contributors to the opportunities. housing stock within the borough, and employment opportunities Improve Strategic Connections that clearly will drive growth across Atherton. A new link road between the industrial estate and the M61 to As such, it is imperative that the the north of the site will improve high-level objectives for these sites connectivity for existing businesses are outlined within this Investment and help attract new investment. Framework.

GIBFIELD MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT

THE AREA

Already home to a number of local companies, including the regional base for Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Borough’s only Driving Test Centre, Gibfield Industrial estate is a popular location.

The wider Gibfield site, covering over 70 hectares, is zoned for a mix of employment land, housing and greenspace within the Draft Greater Manchester Spatial Framework for development, and planning approval is already in place on some parcels of land.

SOUTH/EAST OF ATHERTON HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT

THE AREA A Sustainable Urban Neighbourhood Outline planning permission has been granted for around 830 new New development here should seek homes on land to the south of to provide not only high-quality Atherton, which has excellent links to homes, but also the opportunity to the Guided Busway in Manchester, live, work and play in a desirable and the strategic highway network. setting, through measures such as In addition, there is land identified for new cycle ways and quality open a further 1100 new houses all within spaces. 10-15 minute walk from the town centre, as well as 9 hectares of new The close proximity of the Guided employment land. Busway and Atherton and Hag Fold Rail Stations add real value to these OUR OBJECTIVES developments – but we also think value can be created here through Maximise local jobs and supply environmentally sensitive design, and chain opportunities the provision of recreational facilities, such as sports pitches. We want to maximise the job creation In addition, with such a large within the development of this new increase in population, we need to employment land, and ensure it ensure that local services are able to complements the existing offer meet demand, including healthcare, at Chanters Industrial Estate. We schools and transport infrastructure. also want to make the most of the opportunity for residents in Atherton to secure these new jobs, as well as construction related jobs in the new housing and employment developments, and also support local companies to provide goods and services for the development and building companies. LOGISTICS NORTH HULTON PARK

THE AREA THE AREA

Already home to the distribution There are current proposals for the hubs for a number of national and restoration of Hulton Park through international companies including the creation of a championship golf Lidl, Aldi and Costa Coffee, this course and resort that will be capable Logistics and Manufacturing of hosting major tournaments. In business park has a high profile in addition, proposals include a golf the North West, and it is set to grow training academy, a new hotel on even more. the site of the former Hulton Hall, the restoration of lost gardens, lakes and Located adjacent to the M61, it has pleasure grounds, a community trail excellent strategic links, and local and new homes. links to Atherton. The plans will provide significant OUR OBJECTIVES benefits to Wigan, including new jobs, skills and education Accessible High-Quality Jobs opportunities.

We want to maximise the opportunity OUR OBJECTIVES for residents in Atherton to secure jobs in this new development. Create High-Quality Local Jobs

Promoting supply chain opportunities We want to maximise the opportunity for residents in Atherton to secure We want to encourage both existing jobs in this new development. and new businesses providing services to the large companies at Promoting supply chain opportunities Logistics North to locate in Atherton. We want to encourage both existing and new businesses providing services for the facilities at Hulton Park to locate in Atherton. 04 DELIVERY

We’ve identified three key mechanisms that will help us deliver our ambitious vision for Atherton:

PARTNERSHIPS

WORKING TOGETHER

The wide and varied nature of GREATER MANCHESTER SPATIAL the opportunities identified in this FRAMEWORK (GMSF) Investment Framework will require strong liaison with a number of The framework is a joint plan to external organisations. manage the supply of land for jobs and new homes across Greater We will continue to work in close Manchester. communication with partner bodies including; GMSF identifies the borough as a major contributor to the future growth • GM Combined Authority of Greater Manchester. • Transport for Greater Manchester • GM Local Enterprise Partnership The framework will ensure that • GM Police we have the right land in the right • Network Rail places to deliver the homes and • Canal & River Trust jobs we need up to 2035, along with • Homes & Communities Agency identifying the new infrastructure • Central Government Bodies (such as roads, rail, Rapid Transit and utility networks) required to Creating the right conditions to achieve this. encourage enterprise in Atherton will also require us to work proactively As such, it will provide a critical with existing businesses, prospective overarching strategy for how businesses, land owners and Atherton fits into the wider picture developers. We want to help foster of a fast growing Manchester City new ideas, support business Region. planning and help identify funding streams. FUNDING new powers over its economic development and control over billions The funding landscape is of pounds of public funding with continuously changing and our the pioneering Greater Manchester Business Investment Team are devolution deal. well briefed on new and emerging opportunities. We want to put people at the centre of devolution. Allowing us more Collaborating with a number of control over how we govern and independent organisations we aim to spend locally will allow us to take boost Atherton’s economy through great strides in developing our business support. people and the place they live.

Businesses of all sizes have THE DEAL IN ACTION benefited from our guidance, from sole traders to national companies With such ambitions for new with 1,000+ employees. development and regeneration, we are looking for support from the Whatever your interest, whatever private sector to help accelerate your size and whatever your transformational change in Atherton. opportunity, contact us so we can We can boost our impact by working work with you to help unlock access in partnership; recognising that both to funding. public and private funding can only go so far on their own. If we want DEVOLUTION to deliver the aspirations set out in this document and we want to invest Devolution is the transfer of certain in local facilities and spaces that powers and responsibilities from communities deserve, we need to national government to a particular work together to make it happen. region.

Decisions made locally can better meet the needs and aspirations of the people who live and work in the area.

Wigan Council is a key player in Greater Manchester devolution. Wigan Council will receive significant OUR TOWN CENTRE PROGRAMME

Atherton already has a strong support those such as the Proms in portfolio of community activities and the Park, Nativity Parade, ‘Memory events that support the economy, Tree’ Christmas Light Switch-On, foster local pride and strengthen the Atherton Carnival, St Georges positive image of the town. Day Parade and the Summer and Christmas Markets. We will work with partners to support existing and highly successful These events and activities are not community activities, including only important to local residents, but Atherton Business Partnership. also help bring new people to the town and show what Atherton has to Local events are an essential part offer. of this too and we will continue to