RSPCA on the move as Hollingworth Lake permission granted

Rochdale Animal Centre has taken another step closer to its new home after planning permission was granted by Rochdale Borough Council for the move to refurbished premises at Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre.

The move will provide the animal centre with a modern facility at a more accessible location for the public, delivered through partnership working between Rochdale RSPCA, Rochdale Borough Council, Link4Life, and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

As part of the partnership working, local mutual housing society RBH has purchased the animal centre’s current Redcross Street site, which will be part of RBH’s delivery of new homes in Rochdale town centre. The purchase of the current centre site will help to facilitate the animal centre move to the new premises.

David Canavan, vice-chair of Trustees for the RSPCA's Rochdale branch, said: "This is a really wonderful project. The RSPCA has been supported in our animal welfare work by the people of Rochdale since the Rochdale branch was established in 1890.

"We are really looking forward to working with our partners, Rochdale Borough Council, RBH and Link4Life to provide some new facilities at Hollingworth Lake including a new café, an attractive meeting room and high-quality public toilets together with a really excellent animal centre.

"The partnership will also facilitate an opportunity to introduce new affordable housing in the centre of Rochdale. Our centre with its new meeting room will provide an opportunity for visitors to learn about the many ways in which animals enrich our lives and how we can enjoy and protect them.”

 

 

Councillor Susan Smith, cabinet member for communities and cooperation, said: “With planning now in place for the new animal welfare centre, we’re delighted that this partnership can now push forward to bring another fabulous facility to Hollingworth Lake Country Park.”

“The new centre will allow easy access for visitors - providing top-class animal care and educational facilities, coupled with new affordable quality homes in the centre of Rochdale, which can only be a positive move for all concerned.”

Clare Tostevin, RBH Director of Growth, said: “We're thrilled to see Rochdale Animal Centre receive planning permission for their new modern facility, and to continue our positive partnership work with the council, Link4Life, and the RSPCA. Acquiring this site means we’ll be able to ramp up delivery of more homes in Rochdale town centre – and we can’t wait to get started.”