New ‘greener’ homes will breathe life into former Rochdale mill sites

New homes are set to transform the sites where old mills once stood and residents are invited to attend a special event where new detailed plans will be unveiled.

BASE, a developer working with the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, has developed proposals for three, four and five bedroom houses and two bedroom apartments at the former Dale and Arkwright Mill sites, Roch Street, Rochdale.

The new environmentally friendly homes will re-energise the Hamer area and will be set within landscaped grounds including play spaces with views of the River Roch and the Pennine Hills.

A public exhibition of the proposals will be held on Tuesday 12 September between 2pm and 7pm at Unique Enterprise Centre, Belfield Road, Wardleworth, Rochdale (the refurbished mill next to the KYP building).

The pioneering plans, which have been developed in partnership with architects Proctor and Matthews, include a mix of around 80 homes, which will utilise solar panels providing central heating and hot water.

Environmentally friendly building techniques will improve insulation and reduce residents’ energy bills.  The housing will also be designed around pedestrian friendly streets which will give people priority over cars.

Representatives from BASE and the design team will be available to discuss the plans in detail and to answer questions about the new homes.

Councillor Mohammed Sharif, Rochdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration Portfolio Holder and member of the Housing Market Renewal Board, said: “This new development will be unlike anything seen before in Rochdale and we would urge local people to come along and find out more.  There will be options to buy outright or to rent and the mix of sizes means the development will be ideal for families, couples and people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: "I would welcome any environmentally friendly initiatives and I look forward to seeing these plans in detail and hope that this can become a new environmentally friendly pilot.  Is this the future of new build housing in Rochdale?  I am looking forward to finding out!"

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.

Building work is expected to start at the mill sites in Spring 2007.