Andy Roche, 51, is the last person living in Zedburgh, one of seven 1960s apartment blocks facing demolition at the Lower Falinge estate in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. He is refusing to move despite six of the seven blocks already being completely empty, leaving his one-bed flat as the sole occupied home among 126 properties earmarked for demolition.
Why He Won't Leave
Roche, who is unemployed and has lived in the flat for 28 years, said he still loves living there despite the deserted walkways and plywood-covered windows. He cites the green space, lack of traffic, and familiarity as reasons to stay. He pays £95 a week for the flat and lives there with his partner; both are autistic.
He said: "We don't want to leave this area - it's where I've lived all my life since leaving my parents' home. There's never any trouble, and we like all of the green space. Because we're both autistic, we have very specific needs when it comes to things like noise, smells and lights. We've given RBH a list of our housing needs - but they seem to be ignoring it."
The Estate's Decline
Work on Lower Falinge began in early 1968, with deck-access blocks completed into the early 1970s. Today, Zedburgh is surrounded by six empty blocks: Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe and Vaynor. The seven blocks contain 126 homes, with Roche's as the only occupied flat.
Roche described an "eerie" atmosphere, saying: "We feel isolated. We worry about people breaking in when we're out of the flat." He noted people have begun hanging around the deserted estate and suspects some may be dealing drugs. With no heating in neighbouring flats, his home is colder and more expensive to keep warm.
Legal and Emotional Toll
The pair were served with a notice seeking possession in January. Roche said: "It's so distressing - I can't understate that. It's almost a matter of life and death with how distressing it is."
The latest plans come less than a year after campaigners successfully challenged an earlier demolition bid. RBH sought prior approval, but residents took the decision to judicial review and won. RBH has now returned with a wider proposal including Zedburgh, saying the blocks are at the end of their life and no longer provide safe, warm homes. Roche has questioned why other blocks from the same era have been refurbished instead.
Regeneration began in 2012, with three completed phases delivering 100 new homes. In 2016, then-prime minister David Cameron referred to Lower Falinge as a "sink estate". RBH has not published a specific price tag for this phase, but in January it secured £55m in new bank funding for regeneration projects across Rochdale.
The plans also promise improved public spaces and better walking and cycling links with the town centre. Elsewhere, several blocks not earmarked for demolition remain occupied.
Mum-of-six Gemma Lucas, 32, has spent three years in temporary accommodation while waiting for a permanent council house. She said: "We're in a housing crisis - but those blocks are just sitting there empty waiting to get knocked down. Why can't people move into them?"
RBH intends to submit an outline application to Rochdale Council. If approved, a further detailed application would be needed before demolition or building work could begin.
A spokesperson for RBH said: "We understand this is a very difficult situation for the customers involved, and we have been and will continue to work with them and their representatives to support them with finding a new home that meets their needs. The regeneration of Lower Falinge has been in progress over several years, in consultation with residents throughout. The seven blocks identified for demolition have been empty for several years and have reached the end of their life and can no longer provide the safe, warm homes our customers want and need to live healthy lives. We remain absolutely committed to supporting the one remaining household to move into suitable alternative accommodation. Since June 2025, we have made five offers of new homes, including properties within Lower Falinge and nearby. We will continue to provide tailored practical and financial support throughout the move alongside our partners."
