Plans submitted for new ‘garden neighbourhood’ complete with 1,400 new homes in Rochdale

Plans to build 1,400 new homes in Rochdale have been submitted to the council by a developer.

The proposal from Redrow to build a total of 1,380 houses on land in Castleton and Stakehill, south of the M62, includes the potential for shops and an extension to St John’s Primary School.

The initial phase of development would see 233 homes built consisting of two, three, four and five-bedroom properties, of which 15 per cent are designated as affordable housing.

While the land is designated green belt under the adopted Rochdale development plan, the site is set to be released from this status under the Places for Everyone scheme – Greater Manchester’s long-term development plan.

The application states that works will include ‘landscaping, open space, drainage, ecological enhancements, cycleway and footpath linkages’ alongside properties.

8.8 acres of land is already owned by the developer on the site of the former All in One Garden Centre. More land is expected to be acquired subject to planning.

An additional 1,147 properties are included in an outline planning application. If successful, construction on the homes could start by autumn 2024 with homeowners moving in by 2025.

 

 

The plan includes a 13.4-hectare park to the south, featuring footpaths, ecological enhancements and plenty of opportunities for play and recreation.

A wildlife meadow is also proposed, along with green corridors designed to be suitable for foraging, while space has also been set aside for a local centre, and potential community allotments.

The site is close to the Grade II listed St John Thornham Church and Thornham Parish War Memorial and the timescale for the development is set to take place over 15 years.

A report about the impact on the landscape submitted as part of the planning application states that ‘the once open character of the prevailing landscape will be lost’ once the development is complete.

Robin Buckley, planning director for Redrow, said: “Our plans are for a desirable new garden neighbourhood, with the design led by the local landscape and distinctive character areas created throughout.

“Our aim is to create a thriving new community with high quality and much-needed new homes, abundant green spaces with habitats for wildlife, and space provided for new community infrastructure.”

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporting Service