Bruntwood fleshes out vision for 20-year Bury regen  

Around 800 homes could be delivered as part of long-term plans to redevelop a 15-acre site in the town centre that incorporates the Mill Gate Shopping Centre. 

Last year, Bruntwood and Bury entered into a joint venture to deliver the regeneration project after the council acquired the retail complex in 2021. 

Now, the developer – which is delivering a similar project with Trafford in Stretford – wants to draw up a strategic regeneration framework to guide the project over the next two decades. 

The SRF approach “provides the most flexible and cost-effective method of project development”, according to a report to Bury Council’s cabinet. 

The SRF, which is being drawn up by BDP and Layer.studio, is expected to be endorsed by the council next March. The framework will pave the way for what the council describes as “one of the North West’s most ambitious regeneration projects”. 

At present, the JV’s vision is to deliver 120 homes within its first development phase, while also improving public realm and retail space. This “will ensure the asset remains suitable for modern retail requirements whilst also catering for the leisure sector”, the report states. 

Bury Council bought the Mill Gate Shopping Centre from InfraRed in January 2022. 

As well as the shopping centre, the Millgate estate includes a multi-storey car park, a large office suite, and some service yards with development potential.  

InfraRed bought Mill Gate from Aberdeen Asset Management in 2014 for £52m. Since then, an additional £20m has been invested in the asset.