Rochdale's largest housing estate is set to expand after plans for new homes were approved. The Kirkholt estate will gain a 23-home apartment block and five terraced houses off Queen's Drive, all available for social rent at around 60 per cent of market rates.
Affordable housing plans approved
The developer, Mosscare St Vincent Housing (MSV), a not-for-profit Registered Provider managing almost 9,000 homes across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and West Yorkshire, says the scheme aims to bring 'much-needed' affordable housing to the area. The apartments will all be one-bedroom, while the terraced homes will have four bedrooms each.
Site history and development vision
The site, currently empty, once held an old block of flats next to the A664 (Queensway), demolished in 2009. It was temporarily used by Kirkholt Medical Practice before the health centre moved to permanent premises down the road.
Planning papers state: "The application site is a prominent site within the local area. The intention is to create a high-quality sustainable development that addresses housing needs and meets the needs of the local community."
The documents add: "This proposal has been developed in response to an identified local demand, helping to reduce anti-social behaviour issues and the various problems associated with the site in its disused state."
Community garden approved
Plans for a new community garden, to complement the scheme, were also approved last month. It will be run by Q Gardens, a community group already operating in the Kirkholt area.
