Have your say on plans for Rochdale's future

Residents are being invited to have their say about the future development of Rochdale.

The Council is putting together a new plan detailing what development should take place up to the year 2026. The plan, called the Core Strategy, once agreed, will form an important part of the council’s Local Development Framework to guide the future allocation of land for housing, employment and recreation. The document will also set out which parts of the district should be protected against development.

Six possible options are being put forward in an ‘Issues and Options’ report and the council wants residents to get involved and help decide which best option is. The options identify broad areas for development but don’t allocate specific sites.

Councillor Alan Taylor, leader of Rochdale Council, said: “This consultation is of major importance to the future of the borough and I urge local residents and business owners to get involved and have their say. You can really make a difference to helping shape the borough by making your voice heard and telling us what you think of the proposals.

“We will take people’s views seriously and use the comments and suggestions in putting together the final strategy.”

The report and a leaflet are available on the council website or from your local library or customer service centre.

You can take part in the consultation by:

Commenting on the document online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews

Completing a comments form available from your local library or customer service centre and returning it to a freepost address

Attending one of a series of presentations and discussions as detailed below:

Rochdale Town Hall, Rochdale. Monday 22 September, 7-9pm
Middleton Civic Centre, Fountain St, Middleton. Thursday 25 September, 7-9pm
Heywood Township Centre, Bamford Rd, Heywood. Monday 29 September, 7-9pm
Littleborough Coach House, Lodge St, Littleborough. Thursday 2 October, 7-9pm

The six options set out in the Issues and Options Report are:

Allowing a fairly even development in the built up areas of the borough
Focusing development on regeneration areas
Focusing growth mainly on south Rochdale and south Pennines
Focusing growth mainly on Middleton and Heywood
Focusing substantial new development across the southern half of the borough
Allowing substantial new development across the borough including in north Pennines and north Rochdale