After years of delays, a much-anticipated housing project in Rochdale has taken a big step forward. The Station Gardens scheme, which will see over 200 homes built on the former central retail park near Rochdale train station, has received a £15m boost from the government's community regeneration partnership.
This funding will aid in the construction of new homes, a retail unit and a public park on the site that has been vacant for over a decade. Rochdale Council is now considering various funding options to realise the scheme, with building work expected to commence this year.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced the funding as part of a larger £20m investment in the borough. This will also fund a project to revitalise empty town centre units into local craft workspaces, retail outlets and a youth arts centre to foster community engagement.
Additionally, it will support the reconstruction of a building at Hopwood Hall College's Rochdale campus to provide an extra floor for Higher Education and Access Students. The Station Gardens project forms part of a broader redevelopment plan for the area surrounding the main train station in the borough, including the creation of a new public square and improved public realm in front of the train station, with work set to begin soon.
Coun Danny Meredith, Rochdale Borough Council's cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: "We're delighted to secure funding for this vital project, which we have been working really hard to get delivered. This scheme will transform an empty brownfield site into much needed new homes, including affordable homes, and a high-quality public park and will bring huge benefits to the wider area.
"Situated just minutes from our newly regenerated Rochdale town centre and the train station, which gives easy access to Manchester, Leeds and the rest of the borough, this is a fantastic site for new homes."
The development is part of a broader rail strategy aiming to redevelop brownfield sites around the borough's five railway stations, potentially introducing up to 7,000 new homes and employment sites.
Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, added: "I'm delighted that the government is helping to kickstart the delivery of this worthwhile project to build new homes on this key site close to Rochdale town centre and the Milkstone and Deeplish neighbourhoods.
"It's vital that, instead of sitting around vacant, empty sites are put to use supporting the regeneration of our communities and the creation of much needed, high quality homes. I can't wait to see this project get under way."
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