A substantial housing project planned alongside the Rochdale Canal could get approved this week.
Rochdale Council's planning committee is set to deliberate next week on whether to greenlight plans for 158 homes at Trub Farm off Manchester Road. MCI Developments wants to turn a lengthy strip of land adjacent to the canal, just a stone's throw from Castleton, into a residential area.
The initial proposal was for 162 homes, but this has been scaled back in the revised plans.
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If given the go-ahead, each home would boast a private garden and be situated around a public open space, complete with a children's playground. The developer has said all homes will be priced affordably, at up to 80% of market value.
The development will comprise 24 two-bedroom flats, alongside another 24 three-bedroom flats. The remaining properties will cater to families, offering a mix of detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses with three, four and five bedrooms.
Most of the houses will be two-storey structures, with 23 reaching 2.5 storeys. The majority of the accommodation will take the form of semi-detached houses or small terraces of three.
The apartment buildings, planned to rise to three storeys, will be located towards the northern end of the site.
Access to the proposed site would be via Trub Road, incorporating a bridge and walkway over the canal. This would enable pedestrians to join the existing connection onto the canal footpath.
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Additionally, a stairway is proposed to the north of the site, leading up to the canal, which would provide easy connections to Castleton. According to planning documents, "The proposed scheme Trub Farm will be developed to provide a beautiful, well-designed neighbourhood for residents," The papers add: "The scope and nature of the suggestions will guarantee that the plan will benefit and improve the neighbourhood and surroundings."
They also note that "The development is placed in context with the surrounding region by carefully considering the structure, massing, streetscape, landscaping, and materials, resulting in an appealing, distinctive, and aspirational plan."
Council planning officers have recommended the plans for approval, with a decision set to be made by the committee on July 31.
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