Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 5, 2026

Purpose: To seek member approval to undertake public consultation on the draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Content: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought approval of the draft Simister Bowlee (Northern Gateway) Development Framework (NGDF) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as the basis for public consultation for at least four weeks commencing in February 2026.   The Principal Planning Officer was in attendance to present the information and to address questions and comments of the Cabinet Members.   The Officer informed that the Northern Gateway Development Framework SPD related to allocation JPA 1.2 Northern Gateway (Simister / Bowlee) within the adopted Places for Everyone Plan (PfE). It had been prepared jointly with Bury Council, with technical input from the Northern Gateway Development Vehicle (NGDV) as the principal site promoter.   The main purpose of the SPD was to set the parameters for the use of the site and provide additional guidance for landowners and developers submitting planning applications in the future. Once the development framework was adopted, any planning applications within the allocation would need to be in accordance with it.   This report sought Cabinet approval to consult publicly on the draft SPD. Following consultation, a further report would come to Cabinet summarising consultation outcomes and seeking approval and adoption of the final document and any amendments if made.   Resolved: 1.     That the draft Simister Bowlee (Northern Gateway) Development Framework (NGDF) SPD (outlined in Appendix 1 to the report) be agreed as the basis for public consultation for at least four weeks commencing in February 2026; 2.     That the Assistant Director of Economy be given delegated authority to make minor, non-material modifications to the draft Simister/Bowlee (Northern Gateway) Development Framework Supplementary Planning Document before consultation commences.   Reason for decision: Regulation 12 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 required that public consultation was undertaken prior to the adoption of an SPD. This enabled stakeholders to have the opportunity to provide comments on the draft SPD before it was formally adopted.   Alternatives considered and rejected: There were not considered to be any reasonable alternative options. If the draft SPD was not approved for consultation, it would prevent stakeholders from having the opportunity to comment on it. This would mean that the SPD could not be adopted as it would be contrary to planning regulations.