Riverside living a step nearer for Rochdale

artists impression of the development

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New homes on the banks of the River Roch are set to transform the sites of the former Dale and Arkwright Mills in Rochdale. Plans by BASE - a partnership between Barratt Homes and Artisan Holdings - have received planning approval for 85 high quality homes on Roch Street.

The pioneering plans, which have been developed in partnership with Rochdale Development Agency and architects Proctor and Matthews, include a mix of three, four and five bedroom houses, two bedroom apartments and a retail unit, and will be set within landscaped grounds including play spaces with views of the River Roch and the Pennine Hills. The modern, energy-efficient homes will re-energise the area and will be constructed using environmentally-friendly building techniques to improve insulation and reduce residents' energy bills. The housing will also be designed around pedestrian friendly streets that will give people priority over cars.

BASE will build the new homes, as Rochdale Council's development partner to regenerate the area using funding from Housing Market Renewal, English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation.

The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder has invested more than £20 million already in areas of the borough including Wardleworth, Hamer, Mayfield, Cloverhall, Bellshill, Town Head and Langley in Middleton.

It aims to leave a legacy of desirable new homes that offer more choice to local people. It is working closely with a range of partners including developers, Rochdale Council, Rochdale Development Agency and housing associations to ensure that new homes meet the needs of Rochdale's communities. A further £24 million will be invested over the next two years.

Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Council have worked closely to drive forward plans for the Dale Mill site. 

John Hudson, Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency welcomed the approval of the planning application and said: "This new development will be unlike anything seen before in Rochdale, with a whole range of house sizes and excellent views of the Pennines, within close reach of the town centre.

"Rochdale is undergoing a huge transformation and the Housing Market Renewal programme, which is encouraging developers to invest in the town over a long period of time, is a very important element of plans to improve the choice of housing available.  The construction team will be on site soon and I'm certain that there will be a lot of interest in the modern homes on offer."

Building work is expected to start on the new homes in Summer 2007.  The majority of the homes will be for sale - with some available for rent, from West Pennine Housing Association and for shared ownership.