Agents and developers join Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency for tour of strategic sites

Agents and developers join Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency for tour of strategic sites

A group of agents and developers recently joined members of Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) for a detailed tour of strategic sites.

Attendees, which included representatives from Peacock and Smith, Atherton Property Partnership and the Eric Wright Group, were taken on a tour of emerging housing sites, industrial developments and £250m of ongoing town centre projects.

Phil Ewbank, Chairman of Rochdale Development Agency, said: “Rochdale Council and RDA work extremely well together recognising each others strengths and this combination is what offers Rochdale its very own USP. Economic development has to be at the heart of our future and the tour was a perfect platform to showcase this whilst allowing fellow companies and developers the opportunity to say why they chose the borough of Rochdale to invest in.”

The tour began with a visit to Hanson Springs – an independent family owned manufacturer that was established 50 years ago.

The tours next stop was Crown Business Park where Tim Heatley, Director of Developer Capital and Centric spoke about the 18 acre site, acquired in 2010 from Fortis Bank for £3m.

Stakehill Industrial Park, which acquired almost half of the 2.5m sq ft. estate in 2012 was also visited by the group. The Industrial park is currently working with RDA to improve street lighting, landscape, and signage and to establish a business forum for occupiers.

Once in Castleton, Mark Robinson, Head of Planning at Rochdale Council spoke about the healthy housing market in the area. There are currently 1,100 residential units consented in Castleton at present.

The group also stopped off at Heywood Distribution Centre. Canmoor acquired the site in 2012 with 40% of voids now down to low teens. It is understood that two speculative units, one of 15,000sq ft. and one of 70,00sq ft. are due on site before the end of 2014 for a six to nine month build programme.

The group was informed of the funding approved for J19 of the M62. £7m has been approved for a link road from the motorway to South Heywood at Hareshill Road. The road will ease congestion and open up a 1.5sq ft. development opportunity.

The developments in Rochdale Town Centre were also discussed as part of the visit. Key projects which have been completed to date include Number One Riverside, Rochdale Leisure Centre and Rochdale Sixth Form College.

Rochdale Council is also currently exploring options for the restoration of Rochdale Town Hall and supermarket operators Morrisons have agreed a deal for a town centre store on Smith Street. 

Finally, Kingsway Business Park was visited by the group. David Wilson Homes, part of park developers Wilson Bowden are planning a second phase of family housing with a planning application due before Christmas.

JD Sports on the business park currently employs around 1,500 people at its 85,000sq ft. distribution centre with this figure expecting to rise to 2,500 people next year.

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency said: “It was important for RDA to demonstrate that Rochdale is open for business and to physically show investors, developers and agents the opportunities available in the borough across all sectors.

“Rochdale has room to grow and RDA is here to help businesses who want to be part of that growth.”