Major housing scheme set for Rochdale town centre

Posted by on 15 Oct 2020

Plans to build over 240 new homes on a derelict brownfield site in central Rochdale have taken a major step forward, with enabling works set to start imminently.

Rochdale Riverside Phase 2, which also includes a hotel, is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, in partnership with Genr8 Developments and Kajima.

Contractors Wilmott Dixon have been awarded the £2.7m enabling works contract to ready the site ahead of the start of main construction work next spring.

Manchester-based property management company, Urbanbubble, has also been appointed to support the wider design and development team for Rochdale Riverside phase 2 as consultants on the project.

The project is part of the £400m regeneration of Rochdale town centre, which includes the opening of the retail and leisure complex, Rochdale Riverside Phase 1, earlier this year.
Phase 1, which is next to the phase 2 site, has brought major names into the town centre, including Next, H&M, Reel Cinema and the Puttstars mini golf complex.

Rochdale Riverside Phase 2, which will comprise one and two-bedroom apartments for rent, also provides a push for Rochdale council’s plans to deliver more than 10,500 new homes over the next two decades. These will be focussed on sustainable sites such as town centres and around the borough’s five railway stations, as part of the council’s brownfield preference approach to housing development.

The start of work on site follows hot on the heels of the announcement by Manchester-based developers, Capital and Centric, that they’re working with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency to deliver over 200 new homes at the former Central Retail Park, another derelict brownfield plot, less than a mile from the Rochdale Riverside site. The Capital and Centric scheme will deliver a mix of high and low-rise homes, alongside apartments.

Council leader, Allen Brett, said: “The delivery of high quality new homes to serve our growing population and attract new residents is a vital part of our strategy to transform the borough, which has already seen the successful opening of a new shopping and leisure complex, the delivery of world class heritage projects like the reopening of the River Roch and much more.

“This new development will attract people who want to live in a thriving town centre with excellent shops, leisure facilities and transport links right on their doorstep. It will also bring an important brownfield site back into use and transform this key part of the town centre.

“Our growth strategy is well on track; despite the challenging times we find ourselves in. Continuing this work to grow our economy is more important than ever and we’re unapologetic about the level of ambition we have for our borough and its continued growth.”

Mike Smith, partner at Genr8 Developments said: “Phase 1 of Rochdale Riverside opened earlier this year and has brought high-class retail and leisure amenity to the town with more to come.

“We are pleased to be supporting the council’s housing drive with Phase 2, continuing the development of this regeneration project and fulfilling the ambition of the scheme and the town.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said: “We are proud to be appointed to start Rochdale Riverside phase 2, which will play an important role in further regenerating Rochdale, following the success of phase 1. This development will be another blueprint for vital town centre regeneration across the UK; attracting further inward investment into this community.

“Developments like Rochdale Riverside have already put the town on the map as a great place to live and work. Phase 2 will continue to blaze that trail for developments which leave a lasting positive legacy and stimulate the local economy.”