These are all the significant developments submitted to councils across the city-region recently
11:13, 23 Aug 2025Updated 11:26, 23 Aug 2025
Manchester City skyline viewed from Werneth Low Country Park(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Two controversial HMOs are among the key planning developments tabled across Greater Manchester recently.
In Bolton, one house of multiple occupation (HMO) is back before the council’s planning team for a third time after being knocked back twice previously. The two-storey, end terrace commercial property in Radcliffe was originally tabled as a 35-bed scheme, before scaling down to 28 bedrooms.
Now it is back as a 20-bed HMO plan.
Over in Oldham, the former Crompton Health Centre has been earmarked for a 20-bed HMO. The building, on Shaw high street, has stood vacant since it was deemed ‘unfit’ to be a medical practice in 2024.
Locals have been left outraged by the plans.
Here is a breakdown of each borough’s recently submitted public notices
Bolton
The building, on Church Street West, Radcliffe, is the subject of a plan to create a 20 flats
Building twice rejected as a HMO for more than 25 people could now be converted into flats
A former glass and furniture showroom just 50 metres from a Metrolink stop could be converted into 20 flats.
The two-storey, end terrace commercial property in Church Street West, Radcliffe, is the subject of plans submitted to Bury Council in the past week.
In January 2024, planners threw out proposals for the building for a 35-bed HMO with potential double occupancy.
Earlier this year, a second planning bid for the building saw an application for a 28-bedroom shared house with single occupancy also rejected by the authority.
Now Bury based Wise Living Ltd intend to convert the building into 20 apartments.
Bury
The Art Picture House in Bury (Harrison Ince Architects)
Wetherspoons plan Art Deco refurbishment of listed cinema building to highlight its ‘silver screen’ past
A Wetherspoons pub in a former cinema is set for a refurbishment reflecting its storied past.
The Grade II listed Art Picture House, opposite Bury transport interchange, has been a JD Wetherspoon outlet since 2010.
In the past week, the pub chain has applied for planning permission for an extensive ‘refresh of the internal area’ which includes removing the current central bar.
Documents in support of the plans by Harrison Ince Architects have been published by Bury council.
Manchester
Manchester skyline(Image: Copyright Unknown)
Vacant land next to Conservative club could become new apartment block
Dozens of flats could come to vacant land next to Blackley Conservative Club in Manchester.
Developers hope to build 35 apartments on Old Market Street, near Boggart Hole Clough, in a four-storey block.
31 parking spaces will be provided alongside the brick-clad building, planning documents say. None of the homes will be classed as ‘affordable’, an application form confirmed.
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.
Oldham
The former Crompton Health Centre on High St in Shaw.(Image: Manchester Evening News)
‘I strongly objected and my opinion hasn’t changed… it fills my heart with absolute dread’
A controversial planning application to turn a former health centre into a 20-bed HMO has reportedly been recommended for approval after some amendments were made to the floorplans.
Developers Safina Ghaus and Mehtab Shaukat intend to turn the former Crompton Health Centre on Shaw High Street into a shared housing unit, with 20 bedrooms arranged around two kitchens and a central communal area.
The building has stood vacant since it was deemed ‘unfit’ to be a medical practice in 2024, prompting GPs to move into the newly-established Shaw and Crompton Health Centre on Westway.
Rochdale
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
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.
Salford
A concept image of plans for a new food and drinks venue in a historic railway arch on Gore Street, Salford. Image taken from planning reports on Salford councils website. Uploaded by local democracy reporter Declan Carey.
Plans for trendy new venue with pop-up food stands in historic Salford building
A trendy new spot with pop-up food stands and drinks could open in one of Salford’s historic buildings.
Plans to transform a grade-II listed arch on Gore Street next to Salford Central train station have been submitted to the council by The Arch Company. Concept images show the inside area kitted out with benches alongside tables and chairs, with pop-up food stands for visitors to choose from.
Space inside the building was once used for parking and storage, but the new plans hope to convert it into a new hang-out spot in the city, with developers anticipating ‘strong demand’ for the site from food and drink traders.
Stockport
Stockport Town Hall
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.
Tameside
Stalybridge town centre with canal running through (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Empty plots of land could unlock major £11m Greater Manchester town centre regeneration
Releasing four underused plots of land could unlock the £11.1m scheme to give Stalybridge’s western edge a facelift.
The area of the Tameside town – near the train station – has been targeted for new housing, improved roads, public realm upgrades, a new multi-storey car park and a pedestrian footbridge. The idea behind this is to deliver regeneration of the town centre, attract further investment, and deliver vital new housing.
In order to do this, Tameside council is now looking to remediate some of their own land in order to kickstart this project. Council car parks on Waterloo Road and Castle Street, as well as vacant land on Caroline Street and Bridge Street are all touted for remediation.
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
Plan for apartments on car park near cricket ground
Plans have been submitted for a development of eight apartments on the car park next to the 11-storey Alexander House block in Old Trafford.
Blueoak Estates has submitted an application for ‘permission in principle’ (PiP) to build on the brownfield site which is on land off Talbot Road, close to Lancashire’s Old Trafford cricket ground and the University Academy 92.
PiP is a streamlined approach to planning applications, intended to speed up the process for housing-led developments.
Councils can only grant PiP for developments of up to nine homes. The site would take up 27 spaces of a car park which currently accommodates 130 vehicles.
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.