Six apartment blocks in Rochdale will be demolished after sitting empty for years.
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) wants to regenerate the Lower Falinge estate and has determined bulldozing the blocks is the only affordable option. Now plans for demolition of the Lower Falinge estate, named the most deprived area in England for the fifth successive year back in 2013, have been approved.
The maisonette blocks destined for the wrecking ball include Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor.
Not all the 1970’s style apartment blocks will be levelled as some still have residents living there. One example is the Zedburgh block, where Andy Roche and his partner are the only ones left.
Andy has lived on the estate since 1988 and has no intention of going anywhere. His presence there is the only reason Zedburgh isn’t among the six blocks set to be knocked down.
Millions of pounds has already been invested into newer housing in the area, with new housing blocks already built in the estate – creating a bizarre mix of old and new housing. RBH says it intends to continue on that path of regeneration once the six blocks are gone.
The site off Spotland Road would be left as vacant grassland until RBH makes a decision on the next stages of their redevelopment plans.
In a letter sent to residents back in March, RBH said: “We aim to complete the demolition of the six empty blocks and the commercial buildings within the next 12 months and will be seeking planning permission in the coming weeks.
“We plan to carry out preparation work soon, so you will see some increased activity around the blocks.
“Once we have appointed a contractor, we will provide another update which will give you more specific timescales for this work.
“After demolition, these sites will be temporarily grassed while we work with the community and our partners to consider the next projects in the regeneration.
“We have some more work to do before we can share the next stage, and we will make sure that we let you know as soon as we can about how you can get involved in the design of these projects.
“The things you told us in December have been helpful, including your preference for more housing in the area, making Lower Falinge a safer place to live and more community projects.
“We look forward to working with you in the coming years to design and deliver these projects.”
New poetry anthologies celebrate Rochdale voices after Town of Culture year
Hundred year old Rochdale care home resident dances on TikTok to raise money for children in Sri Lanka
Operation Tetbury helping transform Rochdale town centre as crime falls by more than 25 per cent
Thirty years on, the bomb that changed Manchester forever
One Rochdale councillor says Sudden Junction works could finish months ahead of schedule
Bury widow shares loneliness struggle as referrals rise for social prescribing support
CQC rates Rochdale adult social care services as 'good'
Three MPs return to Rochdale school as pupils make major progress
The ‘running sore’ arson hit pub where kids use power tools to break in
Council tax shortfall in Rochdale of almost £20m in 10 years
Government plans longer closures for illegal shops after Rochdale campaign
Thousands enjoy food, music and sunshine as Street Eat returns to Rochdale
Comments
Add a comment