Northstone, a subsidiary of The Peel Group, is preparing a hybrid planning application for 350 homes on former green belt land in Bamford, Rochdale. The land was removed from the green belt following the adoption of the Greater Manchester-wide Places for Everyone plan in 2024.
Two-phase development off Norden Road
The proposal covers two sites on the western edge of the land off Norden Road. Phase one includes 140 homes on the southern plot, with phase two adding 210 homes on the northern plot.
Plans include 'high quality, energy efficient homes', new cycle and walking routes, two children's play areas, a green linear park, and a new road linking Norden Road and Furbarn Road. Existing sports pitches would be retained and improved.
Consultation and affordable homes
Northstone is consulting local residents and anticipates submitting a planning application to Rochdale council by the end of 2026.
Planning papers state: "The new scheme will provide high-quality, modern, energy-saving homes, 20 per cent of which will be affordable homes – that's homes offered at below market prices to people who cannot afford to buy or rent a home on the open market."
Other developers' schemes
Wain Homes has submitted plans for 45 homes, and McCarthy and Stone for 67 retirement homes. The Wain Homes application was stalled by the council's planning committee earlier this month, as members requested more information on drainage issues after objectors raised concerns about historic flooding.
Coun Tom Besford criticised the lack of an overall masterplan for the 450 homes, fearing 'piecemeal development' would see each developer provide only the bare minimum of benefits.
