New affordable housing development to be built next to primary school

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 11:54

By George Lythgoe

Vacant land off Sutherland Road, Heywood

Vacant land next to a primary school in Heywood will be converted into a new affordable housing development.

A total of 27 new homes would be constructed around Our Lady and St Paul’s RC Primary School. The plans, approved by Rochdale council, have been scaled down by one home.

On the parcel of land north of the primary school, off Sutherland Road, 21 two and three bedroom homes will be built.

The other six homes would be built on land east of the primary school where Argyle Street meets the footpath known as Lennox Walk.

Each three-bedroom property has two off-road parking spaces and the two-bedroom houses have one, according to planning papers. All properties are two storeys and benefit from a ‘generous’ rear garden and in some cases front gardens.

All the properties would be available for affordable rates (up to 80 per cent of market value). Planning papers state that this would make efficient use of vacant land – which was last used to accommodate school buildings that were demolished in 2010.

The applicant, Built Developments Ltd, said in their design and access statement: “The site is well connected by public transport and is served by a variety of bus, tram, rail and pedestrian links.

“The site is located west of Heywood Town Centre and within less than half a mile of the M60 connection to Leeds and Liverpool and linking to all of Greater Manchester.

“There is an existing bus route along Bury Old Road and Sutherland within a minutes walk from the site with buses running regularly to Bury Interchange and Manchester Piccadilly Gardens.

“For pedestrians, the site is located within a short walk to many local amenities such as school, health facilities, retail stores, churches and local green spaces.”