Purchase of former Akzo Nobel site completed

The former Akzo Nobel site, in Littleborough

Countryside Partnerships and Together Housing Group have bought the former Akzo Nobel chemical works site in Littleborough, after having secured planning permission for 126 homes.

Countryside Partnerships – then Vistry Partnerships – was originally selected by Homes England to build the development in 2021. The site had long been earmarked for housing, after being included in the Places for Everyone plan – Greater Manchester’s long-term plan for new jobs, homes, and sustainable growth.

The new development will provide two-, three-, four- and five- bedroom homes, including 14 shared ownership homes that will be managed by Together Housing Group, and five properties that will be sold under the government’s low-cost home ownership First Homes scheme.

Plans to redevelop the site – which was acquired for £10m by Homes England in 2017 – have long proven controversial in the Pennines village.

There has been fierce opposition from locals, with objectors raising concerns over flood risks, contaminated land, increased traffic and unmapped mine works but this latest planning application was approved in March.
 

Read more: Controversial plans for 126 homes on former chemical works site passedPublished: 24 March 2023

As part of the development, Countryside Partnerships will make financial contributions of nearly £700,000 to projects in the the local community the majority of which will go into local education provision and outdoor sports provision.

It is expected that works will commence on site this summer with the first homes available in 2024.

Andrew Poyner, managing director of Countryside Partnerships Yorkshire, said: “It is fantastic to complete the purchase of this site and to begin delivering a development that will completely transform this part of Rochdale.

“We have worked closely with Homes England and Together Housing to bring forward the proposals and by using the strengths and choice of Vistry Group we can also utilise the Bovis Homes brand for the first time in this region, delivering a mix of quality new homes that will appeal to a wide range of customers.”