It’s been rumoured for quite some time, but it’s now understood that Amazon is set to be moving to a huge new warehouse space in Rochdale.
While both Rochdale Borough Council and Amazon has declined to comment on the move, according to a “well-placed source” close to the project who informed Local Democracy Reporting Service, the online retail giant will operate from a 206,000 sq ft unit at Kingsway Business Park in the heart of the Greater Manchester borough.
The new distribution centre – which is known as ‘Plot H’, or Kingsway 216 – is based off Junction 21 of the M62 near Milnrow, and was built five years ago as a “speculative development”.
It comes after planning permission was approved at the latest meeting of Rochdale Borough Council’s planning committee for an 11-acre site housing 665 delivery vans required to operate the warehouse at nearby ‘Plot J’, with each space fitted with electric vehicle charging points.
This approved development will also provide a “modest welfare building”, a guard hut, 8m high LED lighting columns, and acoustic fencing.
The application for the development attracted a total of 32 public objections, with concerns ranging from harm to the appearance of the area, to the loss of space used by dog walkers, horse riders, and more.
Opposition to the scheme was said to be mainly centred on fears over noise and light pollution.
The online retail giant could operate from a 206,000 sq ft unit at Kingsway Business Park / Credit: DLA Architecture
Strong representations were made when the proposal went before the council’s planning committee on 24 June, but a majority of councillors felt they could not turn down the chance to create hundreds of new jobs and boost the economy.
Councillor Phil Burke, who is vice-chairman of the committee, moved approval on the grounds sufficient mitigation measures had been put in place by the applicant.
Speaking outside of the meeting, he said: “As far as I was concerned, after addressing all the concerns from local residents and putting extra measures in place, I recommended approval as all the concerns had been addressed.
“650 jobs is a much needed boost to the local economy.”
On opposition to the plans, he added: “While we fully understood the concern from local residents in relation to noise and light pollution, we understand from the developers that they have put the light level down to the lowest it could go to prevent any light escaping from the distribution park,”
The distribution centre was built five years ago as a “speculative development” / Credit: DLA Architecture
He continued: “In relation to the noise, there has now been sufficient tree and scrub planted around the site, with the additional fencing that has been put up which were included in the plans.
“The developer has a good track record with Rochdale Borough Council, having worked with council for over 25 years and I am sure they will be willing to work with local residents to deal with any concerns that may be caused in future.”
Featured Image – Google Maps (2016)
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Harry Kane tears up as he honours England’s first Muslim player
Danny Jones
Three Lions skipper Harry Kane teared up as he honoured Djed Spence with an emotional speech on his England debut, becoming the first Muslim player ever to represent the senior national team.
Another historic night for sport in this country.
In case you didn’t tune in, the result against Serbia was a thrilling 5-0 victory, which saw Thomas Tuchel’s side maintain their unbeaten run, with a five-star performance serving as the perfect way to mark five wins from as many fixtures.
But, again, the headline story of the night was Djed Spence celebrating his faith in the best way possible – not to mention England captain Harry Kane paying sincere tribute to the history-making 25-year-old:
Pretty much everything you see of Harry Kane points towards him being a genuinely sound bloke. He could have just passed that cap over to Djed Spence with empty platitudes but you can tell he really cares.
As you can see, sharing some heartfelt and inspirational words as a former Lilywhite himself, ‘King’ Kane – who was first given the armband back in 2018 ahead of the Euros – spoke highly of the Tottenham Hotspur star following his inaugural national team cap.
Confessing that he himself felt emotional speaking on behalf of Spence, the 32-year-old striker recalled first seeing the wing-back arrive at Spurs just a few short years ago before his eventual departure for Bayern Munich in 2023.
He also shared, “I know what it takes to get here”, and saw what it took on his end to make those same steps forward in his career and ultimately break into the England squad, adding, “credit to you and your family – you deserve this, mate.”
As for the former Nottingham Forest defender himself, writing on social media, Spence said: “Today is arguably the greatest and proudest day of my life. Honoured to make my England debut.
“A day I’ve dreamt of all my life and now has become a reality. GOD IS THE GREATEST! #GODSPEED“
While there have been many individuals from the Islamic faith throughout the footballing pyramid and, indeed, the FA‘s national team youth ranks over the years, Djed Spence becoming the first senior capped Muslim player in our country’s history is nothing short of an incredible milestone.
Speaking to the media after the game, which also saw Harry Kane surpass Sir Bobby Moore as England’s fifth-most capped player of all-time (now on 109), the London-born athlete admitted: “I was surprised because I didn’t know I was the first, so it’s a blessing.
“It’s good to make history and hopefully inspire young kids around the world that they can make it as well. They can do what I am doing.”
Here’s hoping he can fly the flag for British Muslims throughout domestic football and help generate further impact on the sporting world beyond that.
Spanish journalist rubbishes reports of Barcelona debating ending Marcus Rashford’s loan deal early
Danny Jones
Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué has come out to rubbish reports that FC Barcelona have been considering ending Marcus Rashford’s loan deal early.
The well-known football reporter, who regularly works with the likes of Sky Sports, CBS Sports, BBC and more, is one of many to have publicly decried false claims made about the Manchester United loanee, who joined the La Liga giants at the start of this summer.
Barca themselves are also said to have quashed the rumours, with Balagué’s quotes having now been widely circulated online.
Speaking via X over the weekend, the 56-year-old put it simply: that the rumblings are nonsense, reassuring that the club have plenty of faith in his abilities.
Absolutely rubbish that Barcelona is planning to end up early @MarcusRashford loan deal
Barça told his representative that they have a lot of confidence in Rashford’s potential and that they believe he will recover as a top player
As you can see, the Catalan-born RCD Espanyol fan also chose to publicly align himself with former England footballer, Gary Lineker, who has suggested that a targeted and discriminatory narrative against Rashford has developed in recent years.
Though he didn’t state it verbatim, Balagué added: “No more to say, apart from the fact I agree with Gary Lineker and his treatment by some media.”
In case you were unaware of what he’s precisely referring to, Lineker said in a chat with the Man United forward on his The Rest Is Football podcast that he believes Rashford “wouldn’t face the same criticism if he was white.”
Having also made the move from Britain to Barcelona back in 1986 (spending a total of three seasons there), the 64-year-old knows plenty about adjusting from playing in one country to another.
You can see the interview in full here.
The interview was conducted shortly after Rashford’s loan deal was completed, and he had plenty to say about his boyhood team.
Responding to Balagué’s social media post, one commenter wrote: “This nonsense is coming from racist journalists in England who refuse to leave [Rashford] alone. They bullied him when he was in England, especially during times when he seemed unhappy.
“Now, these haters have followed him to Barcelona. Rashford is one of the kindest players in the world, but these clowns just won’t let him live his life in peace.”
It is worth noting, however, that the original reports in question and ultimately aggregated by media across Europe and here in the UK come from a domestic outlet, El Nacional.
While he is yet to rediscover the form of his peak years in United red at the Camp Nou, he is now entering what are traditionally seen as the ‘prime’ period in a footballer’s career and did show more positive signs on loan at Aston Villa during the second half of the previous campaign.
At 27, there is still plenty of time to turn things around; that being said, after being brought back into the national team and with his parent club holding an option to buy clause for around a reported £20 million, the question remains whether he will be returning to Old Trafford at the end of the term. Speaking of…
The Manc -
30th June 2021 
