Ashton Mayoral Development Zone designation approved by GM leaders

The area to be covered by the Ashton Mayoral Development Zone (AMDZ) has now been approved by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The zone focuses on three principal sites, Ashton Moss, St Petersfield and Ashton town centre which sit in the Eastern Growth Cluster - one of six growth locations across Greater Manchester.

The approval of the zone aims to raise the profile of Tameside and to maximise opportunities for joint working to build on the investment already underway around transport and digital links to bring together plans around for the three key destinations relating employment, residential and other commercial uses.

Plans will now move forward to create a governing board and structure in collaboration with GMCA to collectively align public sector funding for projects which, will realise the potential for the area and help form a business case and strategy to move projects forward. The plans will link together with work already being funded by GMCA and Homes England.

The Mayoral Development Zone will also consider the impacts and benefits of how development in the area and across the Eastern Growth Cluster and Tameside as a whole, with specific links to work already underway in respect of town centre regeneration, business supply chains, cluster networks and links between research and business all of which support Tameside’s Inclusive Growth Strategy 2021-26.

Councillor Jack Naylor, Executive Member for Inclusive Growth, Business and Employment said, “This is great news for Ashton and Tameside as a whole, the designation and approval of the Mayoral Development Zone gives us chance to join forces and maintain the momentum already underway across the area with the input of Levelling Up Funds and ongoing town centre regeneration plans across the borough.

“We want to generate further economic growth by capitalising on our location and links across the North West and the rest of Greater Manchester strengthening our accessibility and transport links as well as creating more employment opportunities for current and future residents.”

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “The approval of a Mayoral Development Zone for Ashton is fantastic news for people and businesses in Tameside and another important step towards rebalancing Greater Manchester’s economy.

 “Ashton has some great qualities that this project will build on – excellent transport links, a growing digital and tech scene centred on Ashton Old Baths, and exciting plans to transform the town centre being led by Tameside Council. The Mayoral Development Zone will help unlock further investment and support the development of new homes and employment space, creating jobs and opportunities that benefit people across the area.”

Find out more about the plans at www.tameside.gov.uk/AMDZ