Online petition to ‘Save the Seven Sisters’

College Bank Flats

An online petition to ‘Save the Seven Sisters’ is now available, having been launched by former Mayor Robin Parker.

Following the news that four of the 'Seven Sisters' tower blocks at College Bank could be demolished under proposals put forward by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), Mr Parker launched a physical petition to ‘Save the Seven Sisters’ that was available to sign during working hours in Town Mill Brow.

However, for non-residents or residents who were unable to sign in person, an online version has been published.

The physical petition was handed in at the last Council meeting on 12 July with over 900 signatures from both residents and the wider community. A full public gallery that overspilled into the main chamber turned out to support the petition.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111258/former-mayor-presents-petition-to-save-seven-sisters-to-council-meeting

Following the meeting, RBH issued the following response:

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111269/rochdale-boroughwide-housing-responds-to-demolition-petition

Mr Parker, who was Rochdale’s Mayor between 2008 and 2009, has lived in three of the flats, Underwood, Holland Rise and Dunkirk Rise, since moving to Rochdale in 1974. He strongly opposes Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s proposals to demolish four of the College Bank buildings, containing hundreds of flats.

He said: “It would be impossible to build anything of the high standards we have now. On Lower Falinge, their concern is the new buildings would have to be as good as they have now.

“It is our hope that the Council will support us in opposing Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s savage proposals, which include demolition of four blocks and will require every resident of the seven blocks to move out. It is our opinion that all seven blocks could be improved, maintained and well-managed for the benefit of residents.”

In February this year, Mr Parker called for the iconic flats to be ‘considered a heritage asset and listed accordingly’.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/108325/former-mayor-robin-parker-and-mp-simon-danczuk-oppose-demolition-of-%E2%80%98iconic-seven-sisters

To sign the petition, visit:

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-seven-sisters-rochdale-2