A major new sports complex could be built on the edge of Bury and Rochdale, replacing the existing Bowlee Community Hub. The 10.7-hectare site on Heywood Old Road would feature a new pavilion, sports pitches, a play area and a 50-space car park.
The facility would also become the new training ground for Rochdale AFC, recently promoted to League 2 of the English Football League. Under the plans, the club would get a clubhouse as their base opposite the new pavilion.
Community facilities and pitch improvements
The revamped community building would include a community room with a kitchen, a fitness suite, four team changing rooms and two smaller changing rooms for match officials.
According to planning papers, the current facilities support the community and host several sports clubs, but the pitches suffer from water logging and the changing spaces are outdated. The proposal would improve the offer for local sports teams through significant investment in facilities, infrastructure and supporting community provision.
Collaborative scheme and inspiration for youngsters
The scheme has been devised by Rochdale council and Rochdale AFC to create a new Football and Community Wellbeing Hub in Bowlee, Middleton. The idea would allow youngsters to watch the professional team training opposite them, with hopes that close proximity to elite athletes could inspire the next generation's Paul Scholes or Keira Walsh, both of whom grew up in the local area.
These proposals have been developed collaboratively with input from Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale AFC, Your Trust, the Football Foundation, Sport England, Lancashire County Football Association and Lancashire County Cricket Club.
Connections and nearby housing scheme
The new sports complex would also connect to Bowlee Community Park via footpaths and cycle routes, according to planning papers. The site is close to the residential community at Langley and right next to the proposed 1,550-home housing scheme.
If approved, the homes would be delivered over several years and split into three parts – north, south and east, bisected by Heywood Old Road (the A6045). The southern parcel is expected to deliver around 800 homes, with 550 in the north and 200 in the east.
This proposal, separate from the sports complex, would also include a local centre with a primary school, shops and health facilities. The housing scheme, called Simister Bowlee, forms part of a wider plan for the region – called the Northern Gateway, which looks to build around 7,000 homes, create 20,000 new jobs, improve road and transport infrastructure, and bring trams to Middleton.
