Potential plans to convert a disused Rochdale town centre hotel into flats for homeless people have been revealed this week.
The former Broadfield Park Hotel – which dates back to the early 20th century, is named after the Grade II-listed park it stands in, and was originally built a nurses’ hall of residence on the site of the old grammar school – closed its doors for good last year, despite undergoing a major refurbishment back in 2013.
But now, it could return to its original residential use.
It comes after the Fairhome Group – a Salford-based national provider of independent living for some of the most vulnerable people in our society – has lodged plans to convert the three-storey building into 31 new apartments for “affordable rent”.
A design and access statement has been submitted, along with planning application.
ADVERTISEMENT
The statement says that the “tumultuous events” of the last 12 months have worsened the social and economic uncertainty and adds: “There is a requirement for new affordable housing to meet the needs of homeless people in Rochdale, as there is across the country”.
It continues: “The Broadfield Park Hotel’s previously established use as hotel accommodation means that the property can easily be adapted to the change of use proposed without harm to local character, without harm to the living conditions of occupiers or neighbours and without harm to highway safety.
ADVERTISEMENT
“These changes will bring about positive benefits in respect of local character and heritage conservation”.
The proposed conversion set out in the plans would provide 22 one-bedroom flats and nine studio flats for future occupants, which would include kitchen and en-suite facilities that “provide modern, attractive, affordable living accommodation for people in need”.
There would also be a reception/concierge area, shower rooms and storage facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
Broadfield Park Hotel / VFM Leonardo
The Fairhome Group says it will work in partnership with a “registered provider” to manage the apartments, and new residents would enter into a two-year renewable tenancy agreement – which would also include a 28-day eviction period should the “house rules” be broken – to encourage them to “form lasting links with, and to care for, their local community”.
The plans also confirm that there would be no change to the size of the building as the majority of the proposals involve the modernisation of facilities and alterations to the internal layout, however, it does say that prominent advertisements and signs which “detract from the character and appearance of the area” would be removed.
Plans also state that the 2,485 sq metre site would retain its 34 parking spaces, although few – if any residents – are expected to drive or have a car, and the application claims that there would be fewer car journeys to and from the site.
This means the development would have no impact on road safety in the area.
Although no date is confirmed at present, a decision on the proposed plans is set to be made by Rochdale Borough Council in due course.
News
The viral factory in Oldham that sells £2 Colin the Caterpillar cakes
Thomas Melia
A factory in Oldham has gone viral online after sweet fiends discover they sell ‘Colin the Caterpillar’ cakes for less than half price.
There are some things that just go hand in hand: a brew and a biscuit, peanut butter and jelly and Brits and their crazy obsession with a character chocolate cake from M&S called Colin the Caterpillar.
Since hitting the shelves in 1990, more than 15 million Colin the Caterpillars have made their way from supermarket shop floor to our sweet-treat-awaiting plates.
Who would’ve ever guessed that the home to this cheeky chappy, who M&S have made their unofficial mascot (after Percy Pig, of course), has been crafted and created right here in Oldham?
The utterly delicious Colin the Caterpillar cake which you can get for £2 at Park Cakes.The shelves at Park Cakes are stacked with Colins and Connies.Credit: The Manc Eats
Established in 1937, The Park Cake Bakeries – or just Park Cakes, colloquially – has been serving up this critter-inspired cake for over 30 years, and savvy shoppers have flocked to their factory shop to get their hands on some very sweet savings.
There’s a whole range of cakes on offer at this Oldham dessert factory shop, including slabs, sponges, loaves and even sweet pies too.
Whether you’re a firm believer that the birthday person deserves all of Colin’s white-choc face or you precisely cut it up so everyone gets some, Park Cakes has the solution, selling bags of the character’s chocolatey face so you can have one all to yourself.
The cake isn’t the only thing that leaves a sweet taste in your mouth, as the prices will too. Colin the Caterpillar, who normally retails for just under a tenner, is sold for around £2 at this Oldham factory shop.
It’s always the ones that look unassuming, isn’t it?
Alongside producing one of the most adored cakes in the UK, they’re also responsible for lots more of your favourite supermarket sweet treats, and we’re definitely not complaining.
You can let your sweet tooth go wild in this factory shop as they sell everything from rainbow birthday cakes to sticky toffee puddings.
There’s so much on offer too, how about a giant bag packed to the brim with misshapen golden flapjacks that’ll last you over a week and cost you less than a fiver? Sounds like a plan to me.
If you haven’t had enough of your Easter chocolate fix, why not trek over to Oldham and stock up on even more chocolate and sweet treats? Trust us, there’s plenty to choose from.
Park Cakes factory shop can be found on Ashton Road in Oldham and is open from 10am-4pm, so go and grab yourself a seriously sweet deal before everyone else beats you to it.
Mini Colins, small in size but still packed with all that chocolatey goodness.Flapjacks and cookie dough bites are just some of the wonderful treats you might be able to get hold of.Credit: The Manc
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Adam Higgin (via Facebook)
News
The ‘headphone dodger’ proposal that could see people who play loud music on public transport fined
Danny Jones
A group of politicians are calling for people who play music and videos out loud on public transport to be fined, and not just a small fee, either. How about a grand?…
Yes, a new idea floated by members of the Liberal Democrats would see so-called ‘headphone dodgers’ hit with a penalty of a whopping penalty of up to £1,000.
Obviously, the idea would need government backing in order to make it through as an official bill, but it seems several Labour and Conservative MPs agree, and the suggestion alone already has caused plenty of online discussion.
Should 'headphone dodgers' who play loud music and videos on public transport face a fine of £1,000?
Sparking quite the water-cooler conversation too, the proposal is something that clearly taps into a fairly common nuisance among the general public and one that has increased in the era of smartphones, tablets and so on.
While it’s definitely something people can relate to, and the highly reactionary idea of charging them such a large sum of money, many on social media have noted that while the concept is one they can get behind, the figure seems excessive to most.
The no-headphone fine would apply to those playing music and video out loud on buses, trains and trams at what would generally be considered an obnoxious volume; if given the green light, this rule would be included in the railway byelaws and the current ‘Bus Services Bill‘ amended.
It has been suggested that a potential national campaign deterring this kind of behaviour would follow, with the party arguing plainly that commuters deserve to “enjoy a moment of peace.”
A similar policy has emerged regarding drivers as well.
This push from the Lib Dems comes after they commissioned a poll which found that “more than half of Brits said they would not feel empowered to ask somebody to turn down their music” while on board public transport, with over a third confessing they’ve come across the issue before.
Lisa Smart, the party’s home affairs spokesman, said: “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour — and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”
She went on to add, “It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.” It is believed that both politicians in power and members of the opposition have already expressed support for the idea, even if specifics like the severity of the fine are up for debate.
The Manc -
17th March 2021 
