Villagers in Birtle who feared their local pub would be turned into an office block with heavy goods vehicles rumbling through country roads have seen their concerns addressed. The Church Inn, on the edge of Rochdale, closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and never reopened. Since 2021, it has stood vacant and fallen into disrepair before being put up for sale.
From Pub to Office Block
Civil engineering firm BDB Special Projects Ltd has now been granted permission to transform the site into its new headquarters. The proposal includes demolishing the building's extensions and constructing a new roof due to safety concerns.
Community Concerns and Revised Plans
The Birtle Trust, a volunteer group dedicated to preserving the local environment, raised objections that garnered over 400 responses on Rochdale council's website. In response, BDB revised its plans, removing HGV parking and a proposed detached amenity building. The approved plans now include a 36-space car park.
Planning papers submitted by BDB explain: "The company employs 12 office staff and around 70 site operatives and managers, most living within Greater Manchester. Turnover has grown to about £15m per annum. The current head office, a leased suite at The Bridge Inn (Heap Bridge), expires January 2027 and is no longer suitable for expansion. The directors are committed to remaining in the Rochdale area and investing in a permanent base that supports local employment. The Church Inn site offers the right scale, location and heritage character for this long-term occupation."
