Sparth Environmental Forum

Sparth Gas works

Rochdale Borough Neighbourhood Renewal is a drive to improve the economy and quality of life in Rochdale.  Groundwork, a major regeneration charity, have secured funding from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to be channelled directly into the Rochdale neighbourhood of Sparth.  Groundwork are pioneering the Sparth Neighbourhood Renewal project, working with Rochdale Borough Council, local residents and local businesses to improve Sparth and breathe new life into the area. 

Groundwork provide environmental, health & safety advice to help businesses address environmental issues which reduces their impact on the area and on residents.  In addition, Groundwork are fostering collaboration between all the other agencies who work with and regulate business activity in Sparth.  Groundwork Trust, the environmental regulators, local residents’ associations, and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council all be working together with residents and businesses to identify areas for improvement, listening to the concerns of those who live and work in Sparth. 

An important part of the plans for the neighbourhood is ensuring that businesses are playing their part in improving the environment in Sparth.  Groundwork are holding a Business Environmental Forum for businesses and regulators.  This will be held at Sparth Community Centre on 23 November 2005 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm.  The regulators and agencies involved in the work on Sparth will be there and representatives from all the businesses located in Sparth are invited to attend. 

The forum will provide the opportunity for businesses to meets representatives from the Environment Agency, St Vincent’s Housing Association, Rochdale Borough Council’s Environmental Health, Crime Reduction Team and Environmental Management, and the Housing Market Renewal Fund team.  The event will give businesses a chance to air their views and learn about how they can be involved in tackling the economic, environmental and strategic issues they face being located in Sparth. 

The Sparth Neighbourhood Renewal is a unique approach to regenerating a mixed industrial and residential neighbourhood.   The Sparth Environmental Forum will provide a one-off chance for businesses operating in Sparth to:

• Find out what the issues are for businesses in Sparth.
• Find out what the regulators are already doing in Sparth.
• Challenge the authorities – what are they doing for Sparth’s business community?
• A unique chance to network with other businesses located in the area and facing the same pressures.

The aim of this event is to identify the issues for businesses in Sparth.  The ideas and actions from the meeting will be used to form the Neighbourhood Action Plan and to form an Environmental Charter for Sparth.

Emma Inott, Environmental Business adviser at Groundwork, says: “Gaining the commitment of businesses is key to improving the environmental performance of the business community.  The Environmental Forum is a fantastic chance for businesses to find out for themselves how they can influence their local economic environment.”

More info:

Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale is a leading regeneration organisation dedicated to improving the quality of the environment.  This is delivered under seven key themes including working with local residents and businesses, encouraging learning, citizenship and sustainability, and building stronger neighbourhoods.  Groundwork works towards creating communities which are thriving, healthy and safe.

The funding comes from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF), a government initiative to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of England so that no-one is disadvantaged by where they live.  The project is currently funded until March 2006.

If you are a business in Sparth and want to be involved, please contact Emma Inott on emma.inott@groundwork.org or 0161 624 1444.