Views on sites earmarked for new homes and businesses sought

The public are being asked for their views on a plan which identifies sites for the new homes and employment spaces needed in the borough up to 2028.

The draft plan focuses development around major town centres and transport links. These include new homes in and around Rochdale town centre, south of Heywood town centre, Warwick Mill in Middleton and sites close to Littleborough town centre.

The plan will also identify and protect important green spaces, identify sites to manage the risk from flooding and help to deliver associated infrastructure like transport.

The proposals prioritise development of brownfield sites, including the re-use of vacant older employment land which no longer meets modern business needs.

Around 400 homes could be built on the British Vita site close to Mills Hill station in Middleton, 200 homes at Royle Barn Road in Castleton and 150 homes at Dyehouse Lane, Smallbridge.

Land is also identified for around 210 hectares of new employment uses including land within Kingsway Business Park, Heywood Distribution Park, Stakehill Industrial Estate and Smallbridge Business Park, along with employment development as part of a wider mixed-use urban extension south of Heywood.

The document includes designated green spaces, which will be offered additional protection from development under the plan. This will include areas safeguarded for flood storage to help flood risk management for Littleborough and central Rochdale.

The plan designates sites to help bring the East Lancashire Railway from Heywood to Castleton.

Councillor Daalat Ali, Cabinet member for planning, development and housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We have identified a number of key brownfield sites as part of this plan which will help us achieve this, but we want residents’ and businesses’ views.”

The consultation on the allocations plan runs from the 10 September to 5 November 2018.

Comments can be made by email to:

ldf.consultation@rochdale.gov.uk

All comments must be received by midnight on 5 November.

Drop in sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Monday 17 September, 4-7pm – Phoenix Centre, Church Street, Heywood
• Tuesday 18 September, 4-7pm – Hare Hill House, Hare Hill Road, Littleborough
• Monday 24 September, 4-7pm – Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale
• Monday 1 October, 4-7pm – Middleton Library, Long Street, Middleton
• Tuesday 23 October, 4-7pm – Butterworth Hall, Milnrow

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