Rochdale gets £20m government windfall

Rochdale Council is set to receive £20m from the government that will go towards building new homes and college classrooms.

The funding will come from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) which will be used to boost job skills and more affordable homes for local people.

As part of the national Plan for Change to ensure people in every corner of the country benefit from the government’s ambitious growth agenda, local leaders in Rochdale have been working closely with the Department on the Community Regeneration Partnership programme to develop a bespoke package of funding that will kickstart a range of projects to boost their communities, tackle local issues and inequalities.

A former retail park near Rochdale town centre will be transformed to create the Station Gateway development to deliver more than 200 homes and the council is committed to making the scheme fully net zero.

Read more: Huge town centre redevelopment stalls as the project is waiting on cash injectionPublished: 13 September 2024

The Creates Space development in Rochdale will breathe new life into empty town centre units to create local craft workspaces, retail outlets, youth arts centre to help community engagement.

 

 

The Rochdale campus of Hopwood Hall College will benefit from a much needed rebuild of one of the college’s buildings and creating an additional floor for Higher Education and Access Students.

Local Growth Minister, Alex Norris said: “Growth is the government’s priority and we want every person and community across the country to be part of this. The regeneration and improvements coming to Oldham and Rochdale will really put Greater Manchester at the forefront of our decade of national renewal.

“With this £40 million package we are tackling issues that really matter to the region, rather than a one-size fits all approach, this tailored package will guarantee long-term, sustainable growth that means more money in people’s pockets as promised in our Plan for Change.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We’re delighted to secure funding for these projects, which we’ve been working really hard to get delivered.

“Together, good quality new homes, fantastic educational opportunities and increased access to culture are the cornerstone of the high quality of life we are working so hard to deliver for each and every resident of our borough.”