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.
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.
“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.
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
Urgent appeal issued following serious road traffic collision involving motorcyclist on M60
Emily Sergeant
An urgent appeal has been issued following a serious road traffic collision on the M60.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for information and dash-cam footage, as well as urging witnesses to come forward, after a motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries during a collision on the M60 this past Saturday (12 July).
Shortly after 1:40pm, police were called a report of a collision involving a motorbike on the anti-clockwise side of the motorway, between junctions 25 and 24.
When patrols responded and arrived on the scene, they found a man in his 50s – believed to be the motorcyclist – with life-threatening injuries, and was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment in an air ambulance, with his family being informed in the process.
An urgent appeal has been issued following a serious road traffic collision involving motorcyclist on the M60 / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The M60 was closed in one direction, between Bredbury and Denton, following the crash from around 2:30pm onwards, and all traffic was diverted while investigations were ongoing.
GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit is in the process of conducting enquiries, and at this time, it isn’t believed that any other vehicle was involved in this incident.
This is why police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who has dash-cam footage, to get in on contact.
Police have also thanked the members of the public who stopped by the roadside to give the man initial first aid before emergency services arrived.
Police issue update on Oasis arrests and fence-jumpers
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester Police have shared an update on the arrests made at the opening two nights of Oasis Live ’25.
More than 100,000 people have flocked up to Heaton Park on Friday and Saturday evening for the first two of five Oasis reunion shows.
And largely, things have gone without a hitch, with only 15 arrests made so far.
The majority of these are arrests on suspicion of fraud, with five men and a woman in three separate incidents attempting to access the Oasis gig with fake accreditation.
Another man was arrests on suspicion of assaulting a member of security staff.
Two more men were arrested on suspicion of assault – a section 18 inside the Oasis gig at Heaton Park, and another for a section 47 outside.
Police have also said that ‘a number of people’ have attempted to access the gigs without tickets, with a perimeter gate breached on Saturday night, but ‘failed to do so’.
Five drones which breached airspace restrictions were seized on Friday.
A Section 34 Dispersal Order, which gives officers the power to direct individuals to leave a specified area and not return for 48 hours, has been in place for each night of the Oasis concerts so far.
This will be re-assessed before each concert this week, with the Gallagher brothers back at Heaton Park on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
GMP around Manchester ahead of the Oasis reunion shows. Credit: GMP
Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said: “We have been planning for these events for several months, working with partners and the organisers to make sure everyone can enjoy the concerts safely. To that end, I’m pleased to say that the first two Oasis homecoming events have been a success.
“What has been especially pleasing is how more than 100,000 people have enjoyed these iconic events safely and without trouble.
“We will have a highly visible presence in and around Heaton Park, and across the city, to ensure the next three events continue to pass safely.
“A number of people without tickets attempted to gain entry through a perimeter gate on Saturday night but failed to do so.
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: Tiktok benwalkerofficialPolice say ‘just 15’ arrests made at Oasis so far
“We continue to support the event organisers and the local authority with their plans preventing any unauthorised access to the arena site.
“While arrests have thankfully been minimal, we have had to take some suspects to custody, including one after an alleged assault on a steward on Saturday night. We will not tolerate any abuse of anyone doing their job.
“On Friday night we also dealt with a number of breaches of airspace restrictions involving drones where our officers seized five drones and spoke to two other pilots.
“We continue to have airspace restrictions in place on the nights of the concerts and anyone found breaching the one-and-a-half-mile restriction zone could face prosecution.”