Huge housing development given final sign off by council

A huge plan to build almost 200 homes in Castleton has been given the final sign off by Rochdale Council. 

Kellen Homes’ proposal for 191 ‘high quality’ homes built on the 27-acre site off Heywood Road in Rochdale was approved by the planning committee back in June. Now the plans have been given the final sign off.

A total of 29 homes are earmarked for affordable housing (80 per cent of market value). Objectors present at the meeting at Number One Riverside on 20 June told the committee how they have no issue with the houses being built, but were concerned about access.

The main way through to the new homes would go through two cul-de-sacs as well as an access road off Heywood Road, with residents wanting access to only come from Heywood Road.

 

 

The meeting heard how the Castleton area has already been ‘plagued by traffic’ due to the development of the new cycle lane throughout 2023. Locals didn’t want to see this development bring further problems for motorists in the area.

The planning committee took into account that all avenues had been explored when it came to access, and decided to approve the application despite the grumblings of objectors present in the room.

Once built, this development put forward by Kellen Homes would unlock a new railway extension for the East Lancashire Railway (ELR). It is estimated that the new residents will generate around £2.6m in local spend per year, and through the planning agreement Kellen Homes will contribute £450,000 towards local education and £300,000 toward Mayfield Rugby Club.

Currently the ELR has seven stations between Heywood and Rawtenstall – all celebrating the area’s railway history dating back to the 1840s.

In its current state, the site comprises a disused railway siding associated with Castleton North, East and South Junction and is surrounded by woodland as well as bordering Castle Hawk Golf Club.

The land once occupied by Baggs Yard Railing Sidings is one allocation of the Places for Everyone plan – which will bring thousands of new homes and jobs to Greater Manchester by 2039.

The committee heard how remnant sections of railway line will be retained with the space between planted with trees, shrubs, grassland and wildflowers.

New footpaths and cycleways will also be created through areas of public open space, following the routes of the railway lines.

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter