Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has proposed demolishing seven blocks of flats on the Lower Falinge estate and building 270 new homes in their place.
The blocks, known as Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, Zedburgh and Vaynor, contain 150 homes. RBH believes the 1970s maisonette blocks are no longer fit for purpose and have lived beyond their lifespan.
Net gain of 150 homes
The development would provide a net gain of 150 homes, RBH says. However, previous demolition of the Waverley, Exbury, Yarwell and Abbeydale blocks means that is not the case for Lower Falinge overall.
In addition to the 270 'high quality' homes, RBH promises improved public spaces and better connections to Rochdale town centre through features such as cycle lanes and footpaths.
Most of the new housing would go on land due to be bulldozed, but plots on the other side of the estate are also set to take on some new homes. RBH's plan would see land it recently bought next to St Mary's Gate built on.
Environmental assessment submitted
Before an official planning application for the mix of flats and houses is submitted to Rochdale council, RBH has put forward an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The EIA is a screening report to identify and mitigate potential environmental and social effects of the proposed development. It covers demolition noise and dust, construction vehicles coming and going, and pollution risks.
Campaigners' legal challenge
Around 100 new homes in Lower Falinge followed previous demolition work. The previous phases began just before Lower Falinge was named the most deprived area in England for the fifth year running in 2013. In 2016, former Prime Minister David Cameron called it a sink estate.
Of the blocks destined for the bulldozer, Zeburgh is the only block still occupied. Andy Roche and his partner are the only ones left there. The pair are part of a campaign group trying to stop demolition.
Campaigners succeeded last year with a legal challenge against RBH's previous demolition plan. Their main concern was that there was no housing or regeneration plan after the blocks got levelled. But now RBH has provided one.
Hannah Fleming, RBH director of regeneration and asset improvement, said previously: "We're committed to creating a community in Lower Falinge with safe, warm, affordable homes that meet the needs of current residents and future generations."
She added: "We are very grateful to all the customers and stakeholders who shared their views in our recent consultation. We are reviewing this feedback before we submit our planning application in the early autumn."
