Ashton Mayoral Development Zone

PLANS for a new development zone in Ashton will support investment and innovation in the borough.

Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet have approved plans for an Ashton Development Zone (ADZ), which will bring together key locations in the town and support growth.

The ADZ will consist of St Petersfield, Ashton Moss, and Ashton Town Centre and has been identified as one of the priority areas for growth in the borough and across Greater Manchester.

Cllr Gerald Cooney, GM Mayor Andy Burnham and local organisations and agencies will work in partnership to realise the potential of this area.

The St. Petersfield development has delivered modern, high quality office space within an urban business quarter and established Ashton Old Baths as a hub for digital and creative businesses. The recently approved St Petersfield masterplan builds on the strengths of the area, which includes its proximity to the motorway and its position as the most digitally connected area in Greater Manchester. This makes St Petersfield an attractive investment opportunity with a focus on innovation in the digital, media, creative and tech sector.

Hosting health services, a new data centre and high capacity dark fibre broadband, gives St. Petersfield potential for innovation in the digital, media, creative and tech sector.

Following a successful £20m Levelling Up Fund bid, plans are underway for work on the former interchange site, walking, cycling and public realm improvements and restoration of Ashton Town Hall. Completing this work will unlock the final phase of Vision Tameside and unlock the potential of Ashton town centre.

The council is also exploring the possibility of redeveloping the Arcades and Ladysmith shopping centres, as part of a wider plan to regenerate Ashton town centre.

And it is currently working with landowners at Ashton Moss, one of the biggest employment areas in the borough, to look at ways to improve and develop the location.

The ADZ will boost the profiles of both Ashton and Tameside in general, helping to secure future funding and investment for the area.