Historic woollen mill in Rochdale town centre to be transformed into new apartments

An historic woollen mill which was among the first in Rochdale to switch to steam power is to be transformed into new apartments.

Planners have given the go-ahead for Grade II-listed Waterside House to be converted into 14 one and two-bedroom flats.

Dating back to the 1820s the red-brick building, on Water Street, is noted for its decorative facade, Venetian-style features and importance to the town’s heritage. 

Although partly demolished in the 1970s, the warehouse and engine room – which was once fed by the River Roch – remain.

The former mill sits in the Rochdale Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) and the proposals from Hamza Shakoor have been assessed by the council’s conservation officer.

A council report notes she found that – subject to the various conditions – the development would have ‘an overall neutral impact’ on the mill buildings ‘and therefore cause no harm to the character or appearance of the conservation area’.

It adds: “The proposed works would therefore not result in the loss of any features of special architectural or historic interest, and thereby preserve the listed building.”

Work on the outside of the building will include the reopening of three bricked up doorways and windows, as well as two small lightwells in the lower-ground floor.

Internal alterations involve the reconfiguration of the rooms and works to walls, gates, doors, columns, glazing and window frames. 

This work would also include removing the suspended ceiling and office partitioning – neither of which are original features of the warehouse – which was built in two phases during the mid-19th century.

As well as granting ‘listed building permission’ for the physical alterations, the council has also given the green light for a change to residential use.

The converted building would feature seven one-bedroom apartments and seven two-bedroom apartments.

There would be no parking spaces for future occupants, due to the building’s town centre location, but plans include cycle storage for up to six bikes.

However Metrolink, train and bus services are all within walking distance of the proposed apartments.

Rochdale Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) centres on buildings on Drake Street, Rochdale. It aims to transform a failing, retail dominated street into a vibrant area of mixed-use development that acknowledges and celebrates the town’s history.

There are around 400 listed buildings and structures across Rochdale, those in the town centre include the town hall and St Chad’s Parish Church.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter