Follow Kirkholt’s heritage with new trail

Hundreds of years of history will be opened up through a new heritage guide to the Kirkholt neighbourhood in Rochdale, published this week.

Residents and visitors to Kirkholt will be able to discover more about the heritage of buildings and public spaces around them. The Vision for Kirkholt team is publishing the guide to the heritage of the neighbourhood, in the form of a walking trail.

Copies of the trail will be available at the Balderstone Park Funday, which takes place in the park on Saturday (20 September), 11am to 3pm.

The leaflet includes fascinating facts on the area's history, such as where the name Kirkholt comes from, an outline of the cotton and woollen mills that once dominated the skyline, the origins of Balderstone Hall.

The Partnership, which involves Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, Rochdale Council and the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder along with a resident steering group, felt it was very important to investigate the heritage of Kirkholt ahead of planned redevelopment on the estate.

Viv Hall, Housing Regeneration Project Manager, said: “We carried out a detailed heritage study in 2007 which many local people got involved with, coming to events and sharing their memories and views about the area.

“The study discovered a wealth of interesting information about the built environment of Kirkholt and how it has grown and developed over the years. As well as three that already enjoy listed status, a number of other buildings and local features were found to be important to the neighbourhood’s history.

“All of that information is now helping to shape the future development of Kirkholt because whilst the area needs to modernise, we also want to ensure that we preserve the best of our heritage.”

Proposals to redevelop Kirkholt are expected to see up to 600 existing homes replaced with new quality modern homes for sale and rent. Up to 1400 new homes could be provided, over a 15-year period.

New community and recreational facilities will be developed, together with accessible modern shops. An improved environment together with new and safer green spaces will enhance Kirkholt as a place to live for the future.