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.
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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.
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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.
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“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)
UK News
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Two incredible locals are running all the way from Rochdale to London for a deeply touching cause
Danny Jones
This April, our eyes will be firmly focused on ‘Project240’: the incredible charity challenge being taken on by two inspiring Greater Manchester natives that will see them run all the way to London for a cause very close to their hearts.
And once they’re there, they’ve got one last rather big run to get done, too.
Project240 is being taken on by locals Alex and James, who will be running (you guessed it) 240 miles from Rochdale all the way to the capital before then taking on the 2026 London Marathon.
Staggering stuff, we’re sure you’ll agree, but it becomes an even more moving story when you find out why they’re doing it.
Taking on multiple ultras split across stages on behalf of Springhill Hospice in their hometown, this pair of lads will be cramming in the remarkable distance into less than a week.
More importantly, they’re also hoping to reach a seriously impressive and significant fundraising target of £26,000 for the facility to mark the year and in honour of one very important person.
For anyone unaware of their story, the duo are running in memory of Alex’s father, Darren, who was sadly diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) at the age of 45 back in 2021.
In an effort to give back to the organisation that did so much for his dad and raise more awareness around MND, they’ll be spreading the five ultra-marathons and this year’s major London race across six days, as well as facing the shared struggle head-on with Darren in their thoughts as always.
He sadly passed away on 23 January 2020, spending just a single precious night at the Hospice – one that has left a lasting impression on their family, with Alex saying simply, “I don’t know what we would have done without Springhill Hospice.”
Credit: Supplied
He went on to add: “The care given to my dad and our family was incredible, which made the most traumatic time of our lives that little bit easier.
“Springhill Hospice is a pillar of our community, and we need to do everything we can to keep the doors open.” We couldn’t agree more; both Alex and James have our utmost admiration for what they’re about to take on, and we wish them all the best.
The route – which they will begin on Tuesday, 21 April and are scheduled to complete the following Sunday – will take them from the old Lancashire town, through Buxton, Ashbourne, Hinckley, Old Stratford, before making it all the way to Greenwich and finally London.
Last but not least, you can donate to the fundraiser right HERE.
The Manc -
30th June 2021 
