Seven Sisters tower blocks to be emptied over safety concerns

Residents of the iconic tower blocks that have dominated the skyline of Rochdale since the 1960s have been told they will be evicted due to safety concerns.

Tenants of the Seven Sisters, actually named College Bank, have today been told they need to move out in the coming weeks.

Social housing landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) explained a number of safety issues flagged in a recent building survey was the reason behind the move.

This comes as independent experts have been undertaking safety and structural surveys to each of the seven buildings, which will inform a decision on the future of the blocks by the end of the year.

Structural and electrical issues; problems with the water pumping system; roof damage; and the ever-increasing costs for customers to heat and light their homes were all raised in the surveys.

RBH says they are managing these safety risks right now, but these issues are becoming ever more pressing as the buildings continue to age. The 229 households living across the seven blocks do not have to move out immediately, RBH have confirmed. 

All tenants are being told of the decision and will be supported to move over the coming months, with financial support offered by the social housing landlord, as well as assistance in finding new and suitable places to live.

Amanda Newton, chief executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, said: “This was a very difficult decision that is wholly focused on ensuring the long-term safety of the customers in College Bank.

“I understand how deeply unsettling this news will be for people living in College Bank, and I am also truly sorry for the uncertainty and delays over a number of years.

“We are committed to supporting our customers throughout, providing them all with the tailored and significant support they need to find a new home suitable for their individual needs.”

This latest development is another setback for residents, who have been embroiled in a battle against demolition of the blocks for a decade. Most living there would have considered it a happy community to live in, but in 2017, RBH revealed plans to demolish four of the high-rises and redevelop.

This sparked local backlash, with local campaigners fighting to stop the plans. Although demolition was eventually ruled out in 2023, a shocking twist in the tale came last October when RBH put ‘all options back on the table’.

After coming out of an ‘exclusivity agreement’ with Legal and General, which looked into a cost-effective way to refurbish Mitchell Hey, Dunkirk Rise, Tentercroft and Town Mill Brow tower blocks, the social housing operator refused to rule out razing them to the ground.

This put the ‘Save the Seven Sisters’ group (ST7S) right back to where they started in 2017. The ST7S campaign says the local consensus remains that demolition of their blocks isn’t supported.

RBH says no decision on the potential demolition of the tower blocks has been made. The regeneration of College Bank is expected to be decided before the end of the year by the RBH board, following discussions with the College Bank Task Force.

All of the options being explored, including refurbishment, will require customers to move out of their homes while any works take place, due to ageing of the blocks, according to RBH.

This is said to be true whether the blocks are refurbished, or fully or partially demolished and replaced with new homes.

Ms Newton added: “I completely understand that this is a significant decision that will impact upon everyone living in College Bank, and also know that this will be distressing news for many people to receive.

“Our customers’ safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority. Our RBH colleagues, myself included, will be at College Bank speaking to our residents, answering their questions, and ensuring they are aware of all the help and support available to them.

“We will work with our customers to ensure that they have certainty for the future, while providing them with new safe, warm affordable homes.”