A SHOPPING centre, car parks, the site of a new closed swimming pool, a health centre, shops and council-owned land will all feature housing if plans for Ashton-under-Lyne take off.
More details of the proposed transformation of the town centre have been revealed as a masterplan takes a step forward.
And a ‘visioning and development opportunity’, which will be pitched to potential developers – with the hope of securing one by spring 2026, has revealed what is planned for where.
According to the document, which will be presented to Tameside Council’s executive cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday, August 27, the town will be divided into five areas.
In total, the regeneration could bring up to 2,400 new homes, 12.5 hectares of commercial space and Greater Manchester’s first Bee Network Station.
And among its headline projects are about 300 properties being placed at what is the Ladysmith shopping Centre and about 200 on the corner of Margaret Street, Hodgson Street and Welbeck Street South.
About 100 are proposed the site of the town’s former bus station and a similar amount earmarked for Ashton Leisure Centre.
Several others have been singled out for a double-figure number of properties, with many described as being of mixed use.
As well as the former bus station, Ashton Gateway may see about 100 properties placed on Camp Street car park, 90 on land bounded by West Street Turner Lane and Wellington Road – where a disused church, homes and businesses stand – and 60 at Union Street car park.
Ashton Central will see the Arcades remain a shopping centre, the town hall retained and Ashton’s former cinema flagged as ‘reuse.’
50 dwellings are proposed for the block taking in Iceland and B&M Bargains, with 20 for a plot on the corner of Katherine Street, Gas Street and Cotton Street and 10 for a ‘plot to the west of Staveleigh Way’ – roughly where the Job Centre once stood.
Ashton East sees 40 properties put forward for Old Cross Street car park and a similar amount for a block situated next to Crickets Lane Health Centre, which itself is targeted for 30.
St Petersfield will also see a plot off Stamford Street West targeted for a hotel, with other commercial and office developments.
The ‘Stamford Quarter’ includes homes placed next to Ashton’s old baths and on several other plots labelled for mixed use.
And six plots in the Ashton West area are targeted for residential development.
As well as residential and commercial developments, the new document also states many ither improvements that can be made in Ashton.
It says: “Ashton-under-Lyne is beginning a new chapter — one that places its historic market at the heart of a renewed, people-first town centre.
“Ashton will re-stitch itself into a vibrant, walkable centre where public spaces, streets and heritage buildings bring people together.
“Ashton-under-Lyne will be a great place to live, offering leisure, workplaces and retail on your doorstep. The town will support enterprise and creativity, re-emerging as a town centre proudly woven from heritage, community and opportunity.”
Among key interventions are an ‘improved station arrival,’ an enhanced interchange llnk and enhanced pedestrian environments around key streets and junctions on Stamford Street.
A potential new green space around St Michael’s Parish Church is also mentioned.
Ten document adds: “The Ashton Gateway presents a major opportunity to shape a distinct and connected neighbourhood at the town’s northern arrival point.
“With unrivalled access to train, tram and bus services, it is ideally placed for high-density, mixed-use, transit-oriented development.
“Public realm improvements and better pedestrian links can reconnect the station with the town centre, creating a more welcoming gateway.
“By repurposing underutilised plots, this area can support new homes, workplaces and public spaces — helping to stitch Ashton back together and set a benchmark for sustainable, people-first regeneration as a key destination within Greater Manchester.”
Tameside Council’s executive cabinet will be told the authority is exploring a set of ‘early win’ opportunities.
It will also learn: “An opportunity within the St Petersfield masterplan area has been identified, comprising a ‘self-development or development partner opportunity for the council to deliver a new-build office development focussed upon coworking and serviced office space.
“A further site within the St Petersfield masterplan has been identified as having the potential to come forward as an apartment block under an affordable housing tenure.
“In addition, there are sites within the vicinity of Stamford Street which potential to explore further development which could involve affordable tenure apartment development.”
Councillor Andrew McLaren, Tameside Council’s deputy Leader, said: “A development partner will help us move faster with our plans for Ashton.
“By connecting public and private sites, we’re laying the groundwork for real growth.
“We’re looking for developers with experience in Greater Manchester who understand the challenges and opportunities. We’re excited to share what’s ahead.”