Demolition creates riverside homes site

Cllr Doreen Brophy-Lee gets the demolition underway under supervision by John Freeley of J Freeley Ltd.

A new site for attractive modern homes is being created at the heart of the community in Wardleworth.

Demolition on Nile Street has already removed a former foundry and engineering works. Further demolition of 38 outdated terraced houses, facing onto Entwistle Road and Blake Street, will open up an extensive site for redevelopment.

This site will provide 1.75 hectares of land to create modern, high quality homes. The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder is working with developers Base to build the new homes, offering a mix of size and tenure.

Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Mohammed Sharif said: “This site is one of a number in the area that together will bring about a massive change, separating industry and housing, improving the environment and enhancing the choice of homes. The proposals also provide opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs to remain within the area.”

Rochdale Council Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Doreen Brophy-Lee said: “The demolition is a vital step forward that shows our intention to build many more high quality, sustainable homes within the local community.”

Alastair Graham, HMR Project Director added: “The quality of design and construction that local people can expect at this site is already in evidence at the nearby Nelson Place development. The neighbourhoods of East Central Rochdale are beginning to see the transformation of their community become a reality.”

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency said: “Modern homes are now taking shape in Rochdale and this new site will provide even further opportunities to expand the choice of quality homes on offer in the borough. Public sector investment through the Housing Market Renewal programme is carving the way for our developer partners to invest and build the variety of homes that people have said they want to see.”

J Freeley Ltd, an experienced demolition contractor who have carried out work elsewhere in Rochdale town centre, is carrying out the work. The contractors expect to have cleared the site by early in the New Year.

Rochdale Council has worked with the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder and Rochdale Development Agency to acquire the site. All of the homes have been acquired through negotiation, with no need for compulsory purchase. The remaining industrial businesses on Nile Street are also being helped to relocate to new premises.