Councillors to view early proposals for town centre redevelopment

The council is trying to improve and develop what it describes in a planning report as an 'under-performing town centre that is falling behind its competitors, failing to provide the range and quality of services expected of the Borough's main town centre and is failing to attract new investment'.

Rochdale councillors will be invited to comment on the draft Area Framework that has been prepared for the redevelopment of the Rochdale Town Centre East area before a final Supplementary Planning Document is released for public consultation.

The report, entitled 'Rochdale Town Centre East Draft Area Framework', will inform and invite responses from councillors at the Rochdale Township and Rochdale Town Centre Committee meetings, on Wednesday 11 and 18 July respectively. The report hopes to seek agreement that the Rochdale Township Action Committee be delegated to approve the final draft for consultative purposes.

If this is agreed the Rochdale Township Action Committee will be expected to approve the Area Framework on 15 August and it will enter the formal public consultation process. It is envisaged that the Committee will formally adopt the final draft of the Area Framework in November 2007.

The Area Framework, which has been formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), will guide the redevelopment of the Rochdale Town Centre East Area in terms of planning applications in the area and to help in maximising the regeneration benefits available for the town centre.

The aim of the SPD is: "To achieve the comprehensive redevelopment of the east central part of Rochdale Town Centre to create a vibrant and attractive town centre that fully meets the needs and aspirations of all those who live, work, shop in or visit Rochdale. The town centre will offer an integrated range of quality retail, leisure, civic, community, office and residential uses supported by a strong transport infrastructure; all set within a high quality co-ordinated environment of attractive and distinctive buildings and co-ordinated public realm. The development will be of sufficient scale and impact to make a major positive contribution to the regeneration of the town centre and the Borough."

Specifically the SPD recommends that:

• Substantial remodelling of the southern boundaries of the Wheatsheaf Centre will be required to integrate it into new developments on Smith Street and Baillie Street and to improve permeability for pedestrians and links between Yorkshire Street and the rest of the town centre east area.
  
  
• Major retail development on Smith Street and Baillie Street as this is the best location sequentially, being next to and easily accessible from the existing shopping area. However, this development should also contain a mixture of other uses including offices, small-scale leisure and a small amount of residential development to bring the greatest benefit to the town centre as a whole.  Development within this area must compliment uses within the existing centre and provide strong linkages to the Primary Shopping Area and the remainder of the town centre.
  
  
• The 'Riverside Area' between Smith Street and the River Roch is appropriate for new public sector and commercial offices, a mixture of other complimentary uses including limited ground floor retail, food and drink and housing taking advantage of the riverside setting and the emerging trend for town centre living.
  
  
• The new bus station, when built, adjoins adjoins the proposed Metrolink terminus on Smith Street forming the transport interchange for Rochdale town centre. Good pedestrian linkages need to be provided between this area and the rest of the town centre.
  
  
• Water Street needs to be regenerated in a co-ordinated way with the Riverside area. Suitable uses are either residential, office or business.
  
  
• Major redevelopment of the Butts Area would be inappropriate as it is next to the Town Hall Conservation Area, instead sympathetic improvement and enhancement of existing buildings, frontages and public realm is sought.
  
  
• John Street West is appropriate for a wide range of town centre uses such as, entertainment and leisure uses, community and cultural facilities, offices, a hotel, financial and professional services, food and drink outlets, convenience shops and housing. Major comparison (non food) retail development in the area would not be appropriate unless it is developed after the more sequentially preferable location on Smith Street and Baillie Street. There is deficiency, however, of convenience (food) retail stores in the town centre and such a use may be appropriate in this location.