Station Square transformation granted planning permission – despite losing out on £20m ‘Levelling Up’ cash

Ambitious proposals to develop the area around Rochdale Railway Station have been granted by Rochdale Borough Council, despite the local authority losing out on £20m in ‘Levelling Up’ money.

The local authority submitted its planning application for the multi-million pound Station Square scheme earlier this year, which was approved at the most recent planning meeting on 20 July.
 

Read more: Rochdale council to forge ahead with station square revamp despite Levelling Up fund blowPublished: 21 February 2023

The development formed part of the council’s levelling up bid to government, which was rejected at the start of the year.
 

Read more: Anger and disappointment as towns miss out on £40m in Levelling Up funding for deprived areas - but Prime Minister's own affluent constituency receives £19mPublished: 20 January 2023

 

Rochdale Council has not yet confirmed how the project will be funded but said it was exploring “a number of different options.”

The Station Square development proposes a new public square outside the train station, new signage for the area, street art and enhanced lighting, whilst improved walking and cycling routes would form part of a regenerated Milkstone and Deeplish.

The current taxi rank will be moved to ‘reconnect’ the station to shops and businesses in the centre.

 

 

The approved proposals are part of a wider rail strategy, which aims to regenerate brownfield areas around the borough’s five railway stations – building 7,000 new homes and a million square metres of new employment space.

The council hopes more than 1,000 new homes could also be built near the station itself, as well as green spaces.

That element would include 200 apartments and houses on the site of the former Central Retail Park. The development – Station Gardens – was also part of the rejected levelling up bid.

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The redevelopment of the areas around our train stations, including Station Square, is a key objective for us, so it’s great to see this fantastic project progress. This area is a vibrant and popular neighbourhood and its proximity to the newly regenerated Rochdale town centre, as well as the Rochdale train station, means it has huge potential to be even better.

“The approval of our ambitious plans represents another important step forward for this key gateway site, as part of our wider regeneration of this area and the wider borough.”

Reporting: Rochdale Online
Additional reporting: George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter