A public consultation has been launched on plans to transform the former Central Retail Park into a thriving new town centre community – which is set to feature a mix of 200 houses and apartments (ranging from one to five-beds).
Local residents are now being encouraged to give their thoughts on Neighbourhood Rochdale ahead of the brownfield site’s renovation.
Designed to breathe life back into the area, Neighbourhood Rochdale will feature “stunning, design-led homes with beautiful architecture”, including modern, open plan layouts and energy efficient tech (plus electric vehicle charging).
The site will also include a food hall, general store, café-bar and flexible communal space, along with plenty of outdoor spaces for residents and the wider community to enjoy.
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The Rochdale plans also include a public linear park, with circuit training equipment, self-timed sprint track, kids’ play area, an outdoor pavilion for events and BBQ areas.
Capital & Centric
Tim Heatley, co-founder of Capital & Centric said: “Neighbourhood Rochdale goes beyond just building new homes, it’s about rebooting the town centre and creating a proper community where you can get to know your neighbours and make new friends.
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“That’s why we’ve included tons of shared spaces, which could be used for everything from yoga classes to kids’ parties or even a cinema night, and meeting pods for people working from home, and there’s also the food hall and outdoor events pavilion to bring in people from the wider community.
“As you’d expect from us, it’s going to be very green, with beautiful terraces for all the houses and lots of landscaped spaces and lush lawns.
“We’ve got loads of ideas but want to know what local people think so give us a shout”.
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Located just a short walk from both the Metrolink and train station – which offer an easy commute into Manchester city centre and access to the Peak District by public transport – the Central Retail Park site has been vacant for nearly a decade.
These new plans are part of the £400 million regeneration of Rochdale town centre and the council’s rail strategy, which will “level up the town centre” with 7,000 homes around the borough’s five railway stations.
Councillor John Blundell – Cabinet Member for Economy and Communications at Rochdale Borough Council – added: “I’d urge locals to get involved in this consultation, so they can help to shape what I’m sure will be a thriving new town centre community.”
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Keen to have your say?
With a public consultation that closes on Friday 4 June, there are lots of ways that people can join the conversation and all feedback will be used to help shape the plans.
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A newsletter has been sent to over 5,000 households and businesses in the area with a tear-off freepost questionnaire (whcih can also be completed online here).
Residents can also join a live online Q&A with the team on Wednesday 26 May at 6pm, with sign-up via the website.
You can also ask any questions by calling 0800 689 1095 or emailing [email protected].
It is expected that a planning application will be submitted to Rochdale Borough Council in the summer.
Featured Image – Capital & Centric
Rochdale
Disruption expected as key part of ‘major’ Greater Manchester motorway closes this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Drivers are being reminded that a key section of England’s main trans-Pennine motorway will be closed this month.
As Network Rail looks to replace an almost 60-year-old railway bridge, the Castleton bridge, a key section of the M62 between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale is set to close for two full weekends while demolition work takes place.
The section of the major motorway will be closed in both directions from 9pm on Friday (6 September) to 6am on Monday (9 September), and again from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September.
National Highways – which operates the M62 – is working with Network Rail to ensure the work goes “as smoothly as possible”, but just as you’d expect, is warning drivers that will likely affect travel plans, especially as the motorway links Liverpool and Hull, as well as the cities of Manchester and Leeds in between.
#M62#Rochdale The M62 between Manchester and Leeds will be CLOSED at Rochdale this weekend.
While drivers are being urged to avoid this section of the M62 if possible, diversions will be in place.
Due to the timings of the work over the two weekends, different closure and diversion arrangements will be in place for the westbound and eastbound carriageways – with the eastbound carriageway actually being closed from junction 18 of the M62 at Simister Island interchange, to junction 20 of the M62 at Rochdale.
The westbound carriageway will be closed between junction 20 at Rochdale and junction 19 at Heywood.
This is the first time in recent memory that the M62 – which carries around 120,000 vehicles a day – has been closed for a whole weekend or other extended periods, specifically for planned work.
A key part of the M62 in Rochdale is closing this weekend / Credit: National Highways
Traffic officers at National Highways’ regional operations nearby will be working “around the clock” throughout the two weekends to monitor traffic, and work alongside the police and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to help clear any incidents as quickly as possible.
Drivers heading across the Pennines are being urged to plan journeys in advance, including checking for congestion or incidents before setting out.
A dedicated webpage has been set up to help keep commuters, businesses, and other M62 users up to date with all the progress and planned closures in relation to the Network Rail project – including diversion information.
Generally selling out each year, and with 2024 expected to be no different – especially as there’s set to be “fresh twists and new surprises” to celebrate ‘Year of the Pumpkin’ this year – the heritage railway’s Halloween Ghost Trains always prove to be top of the Halloween bucket list for people looking for “loads of spooktacular fun” once the scariest time of year rolls around.
Those brave enough at lending Zombie Bob and the ‘Monster Squad’ a helping hand at banishing ghosts and ghouls will be whisked away on a haunted steam engine through the atmospheric Greater Manchester countryside.
Spooky steam train rides through Greater Manchester are returning this Halloween / Credit: ELR
In this year’s event, the railway will be transformed with elaborate decorations and eerie lighting, and visitors are encouraged to ensure that “no ghouls fly under the radar”.
Got the guts for the ride of a lifetime?
You’ll first start off the experience with a pumpkin-themed haunted house walkthrough over the ghoulishly-decorated footbridge at Bury Bolton Street Station, all before you hop on a 60-minute spooky steam train ride to the Irwell Vale and back.
As you take in the autumn sights and delights of the local countryside out the historic steam train’s windows, there’ll be lots of spooky entertainment and music along the way, and, as it always is each year, screaming and singalongs are to be expected too – and encouraged – as this is all part of the experience.
Families are also encouraged to “show off your spookiest fancy dress” on the day, and if you make it to the end, then a goody bag for every child “full of tricks and treats” awaits.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome visitors back to our Halloween event,” commented Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of ELR. “This year promises to be our best yet, with new themes and surprises that will delight and frighten guests of all ages.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for families to create unforgettable Halloween memories together.”
The Halloween Ghost Trains are happening over the October half term from 24-26 October, with special trains running on Halloween itself (31 October), and tickets are now on sale starting from just £14 per person.
Emily Sergeant -
21st May 2021 
