Minister backs £20m regeneration plans during visit to Rochdale and Littleborough

Thursday, 19 June 2025 11:37

By David Murphy

(right to left) Alex Norris, Paul Waugh, Neil Emmott, Iain Bowden, Nick Andrews

Two landmark projects in Rochdale and Littleborough have been hailed as examples of successful community-led regeneration during a ministerial visit this week.

Minister for Local Growth Alex Norris toured key sites in Rochdale and Littleborough alongside local MP Paul Waugh to inspect progress on major developments supported by over £20 million in government funding.

The visit included a stop at the Station Gateway site in central Rochdale and Hare Hill House in Littleborough. Both projects are funded through the government’s Community Regeneration Partnership and Community Ownership Fund.

In Rochdale, the Station Gateway initiative will see the creation of over 200 net zero homes and a new public park on the former MFI site, supported by £15 million in government backing. Plans also include turning empty town centre units into cultural spaces and upgrading Hopwood Hall College to boost higher education access.

At Hare Hill House, the minister met with volunteers Iain Bowden and Nick Andrews to learn about its role as a community hub. Thanks to a £337,000 grant, the historic building will receive essential repairs and support to remain in public use for years to come.

Paul Waugh MP, who has advocated strongly for the funding, said the projects reflected local priorities: “From new homes and green space at Station Gardens to the transformation of Hare Hill House by brilliant local volunteers, this is regeneration driven by community priorities.”

Minister Alex Norris added: “It’s exciting that we are now going to deliver the change people want. Rochdale’s vision has been ready to go for years, it just needed government funding to get over the line.”

Council Leader Cllr Neil Emmott and Cabinet Member for Regeneration Cllr Danny Meredith also joined the visit. Cllr Meredith highlighted the importance of building affordable homes near transport hubs, saying the Station Gardens scheme would help turn brownfield sites into thriving neighbourhoods.

Chief Executive James Binks, recently appointed to the council’s top post, also welcomed the minister, underscoring the borough’s readiness to move forward with shovel-ready developments.

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