These are all the significant developments tabled across the city-region recentlySalford University’s prize-winning Centenary Building.
N/B this is as close as I can get to the building, all roads closed off
Picture Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News

Proposals to bulldoze what was once deemed the UK’s best new building is one of many key developments planned for Greater Manchester recently.

Salford’s Centenary Building is set to make way for a huge £2.5bn regeneration project in the area.

The site, now sitting empty, has been earmarked for the regeneration project led by developer ECF, Salford council, and Salford University – who own the building.

The Centenary Building won the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize in 1996, cementing its status as ‘the UK’s best new building’ at the time.

To see planning applications; traffic and road diversions and layout changes; and more, visit the Public Notices Portal HERE

The site has been empty for years, and at the end of 2024 permission was granted to knock it down along with the old Adelphi Building at Peru Street as part of the city’s ongoing transformation.

Now it looks as though plans for demolition are getting closer to becoming a reality.

Here is a breakdown of each borough’s recently submitted public notices

BoltonSt James’ is set to be used again for Christian worship

Long-closed church set to be used for Christian worship again after plans scrapped

A church is set to become a place of Christian worship once again.

New Bury St James’ church in Farnworth is the subject of a disposal scheme by the Church of England’s diocese of Manchester. The church was closed for public worship in January 2012 as a result of a decline in the size of the congregation and ‘inability to maintain the building’.

Now a new scheme is being proposed for the building to be used by the Christ Apostolic Church Dominion Outreach for ‘Christian worship, services and other religious activities’.

St James’ has been the subject of other schemes for its re-use which have failed to move forward.

BuryThe building is opoosite the main Bury Grammar school site (Pic: Fletcher CRE Ltd)

Historic ‘courthouse’ sixth form buildings with potential for 25 flats for sale at £1.2m

A courthouse building more recently used as a sixth form college is being marketed for sale for £1.2m.

The Courthouse, on Tenterden Street, close to Bury town centre, is described as a ‘historic building with plenty of character’ which has ‘potential to convert to 20 to 25 high quality apartments’.

The buildings, most recently used by Bury Grammar School sixth form, include open plan class rooms and private study areas along with the original court room, which has been used as an assembly area.

Manchester(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Roadworks are hitting three major routes in Manchester this week:

  • Moss Side: Moss Lane East will close from August 16 between Alexandra Road and Princess Road for resurfacing. It’s expected to take six weekends, and Moss Lane West will follow suit on August 26. Residential access will be maintained throughout the roadworks, however.
  • Wythenshawe: Peel Hall Road has been closed between Upavon Road and Crossacres Road from Monday, August 11, for three weeks.
  • Wythenshawe: Woodhouse Lane has been closed between Poundswick Lane and Hollyhedge Road from July 28 for around five weeks
  • Moston: Hollinwood Avenue has been closed between Greengates Roundabout and the Oldham boundary at Owler Lane at weekends from August 9, for six weekends

Chapel Street East and New Bailey Gateway Works – One Way Closure

Due to planned works, there is a one-way closure of Chapel Street (Westbound) between Blackfriars Road and New Bailey.

Works have been ongoing since May and are expected to last until further notice.

OldhamThe 149 dwellings would be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, according to plans submitted to Oldham Council. The 149 dwellings would be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, according to plans submitted to Oldham Council.(Image: Rowlands)

A new neighbourhood for Greater Manchester

The former site of two notorious schools could soon be transformed into a brand new neighbourhood in Oldham.

Developers Rowland Homes plan to turn land off Butterworth Lane, once home to South Chadderton School and the Collective Spirit School, into almost 150 new homes.

The 149 dwellings would be a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, according to plans submitted to Oldham Council. If approved by town planners, the developers would construct a set of new roads, with an arrangement of detached, semi-detached and mews style houses and blocks of flats.

Rowlands say their aim is to create ‘a high quality, vibrant and sustainable community, responding to the needs and character of the area where everyone can feel at home’.

RochdaleThe office buildings on Drake Street, in Rochdale, which could be transformed into a new primary schoolThe office buildings on Drake Street, in Rochdale, which could be transformed into a new primary school(Image: Google Maps)

New social, emotional and mental health primary school planned for Greater Manchester town

A new social, emotional and mental health primary school (SEMH) could be built in Rochdale town centre.

The site on Drake Street, opposite Beech House School, is currently home to two disused office buildings. Supreme Start, the applicant, has submitted plans to create classrooms; staff offices; breakout spaces; and therapeutic support rooms suitable for children with social, emotional and mental health needs across the four floors.

SEMH schools provide tailored education for children who experience challenges with emotional regulation, behaviour, and mental health.

Rochdale Road, Bridge Street & Elizabethan Way Junction, Milnrow – Gas Works

Cadent Gas will be carrying out work to replace the gas mains at the junction of Rochdale Road, Bridge Street & Elizabethan Way in Milnrow. The junction will be fully closed with signed diversion routes in place.

Works expected to last until Monday, September 1.

Castleton to Rochdale Active Travel Scheme – Phase 2

Until January 31, 2027, staggered works will take place along Manchester Road between Castleton and Rochdale to deliver phase two improvements.

SalfordSalford University’s prize-winning Old Adelphi building
Picture Jason Roberts / Manchester Evening News

It was once named the UK’s best new building – now it is set to be knocked down

More details about what could replace Salford’s award-winning Centenary Building have been revealed.

The site has been earmarked for demolition as part of a £2.5bn regeneration project led by developer ECF, Salford council, and Salford University who own the building. The Centenary Building won the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Prize in 1996, cementing its status as ‘the UK’s best new building’ at the time.

ECF has shared an update on what the future of the land could look like once the structures are gone. Preparations are being made to submit an application this summer for a residential development with up to 263 apartments at the site, in a scheme which includes parking, access, and landscaping as part of the work.

StockportStockport Town Hall. Image taken by local democracy reporter Declan Carey. Free to use for LDRS partners.

Greek Street, Stockport – Road Closure

Until Spring 2026, Greek Street roundabout in Stockport will be closed for railway bridge replacement works.

Works expected to last until Wednesday, April 1.

TamesideDukinfield Town Hall(Image: LDRS)

Mottram-in-Longdendale/Hollingworth, Tameside

Planned road layout changes will take place on Roe Cross Road & A57 Mottram Moor. The preliminary works are part of a wider project to build two new link roads between Manchester and Sheffield.

Works expected to last until January 31, 2028.

Trafford

Plans submitted for 53 homes on site of former Royal Mail sorting office and probation office

Trafford council has submitted a planning application to its own planning team for 53 new homes on the Lacy Street car park and the former Royal Mail sorting office and probation centre in Salford.

The development, intended for the site opposite the soon-to-be demolished Stretford Mall, will deliver 25 per cent affordable, sustainable and thermally efficient housing.

It includes two, three and four-bedroom houses and two-bedroom apartments, with the tallest structures reaching a maximum height of 3.5 storeys. The designers on the scheme are Pozzoni architects.

Nearby residents objecting to plans for 12 lodges behind Victorian hotel

Plans to install 12 standalone lodges behind a hotel complex in Stretford have already prompted a number of objections from neighbouring residents.

VSPG Housing wants to put the accommodation behind the Greatstone Hotel on Chester Road. The hotel consists of one detached and two semi-detached Victorian villas offering a total of 32 rooms.

It is near three Grade II listed buildings at the Gorse Hill Park entrance. The hotel was the subject of a demolition planning application five years ago with the then-owner Dowd and Company earmarking the site for a development of 56 apartments, but it was refused and turned down on appeal.

A56 Manchester Road, Altrincham – Active Travel Scheme

To facilitate upgrades to junctions, both Sinderland Road and Barrington Road will be closed at their junctions with A56 Manchester Road. Signed diversion routes will be in place. Please allow more time for your journey.

Works expected to last until August 29.

Talbot Road/Chester Road, Old Trafford – Roadworks

To allow active travel improvements, a road closure will be in place at the junction of Chester Road & Talbot Road (by Seymour Grove), restricting vehicles accessing Chester Road from Talbot Road. Signed diversion routes will be in place during this time.

Works expected to last until Sunday, November 30.

Wigan

Detailed plans for 219 affordable homes on the common tabled

Detailed plans have been submitted for more than 450 homes on land at Mosley Common in Tyldesley.

Kellen Homes and Great Places Housing Group have lodged a ‘reserved matters’ application for 219 affordable homes for shared ownership on land to the Guided Busway into central Manchester.

The homes are part of a wider masterplan for more than 1,000 on Mosley Common.

The masterplan emerged following the approval last year of the strategic document for development across Greater Manchester for the next 14 years, Places for Everyone.

Meanwhile, a scheme for a further 244 homes on the common is the subject of another reserved matters application from major UK house builder Taylor Wimpey.