New larger homes to be built in Rochdale

Date published: 20/12/2005

A row of three-storey terrace homes for social rent is to be built in Rochdale as part of Housing Market Renewal plans to transform the area.

Existing properties on Halifax Road, which are over 130 years old, are being demolished to make way for the modern development.

The previous 10 owners have received market value for their property, compensation and support from the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, including removal costs and survey fees, to help them move to other homes elsewhere in Rochdale.

West Pennine Housing Association (WPHA) is building seven three and four bedroom houses for social rent. The demolition work has started and building work is scheduled to start in the spring.  

Ian Hill, project manager for WPHA, says that there is a high demand for large affordable homes in the area. He added: “There are a number of families who need homes for rent with three and four bedrooms.  They are being designed to achieve high standards of sustainability and will help to improve the look of the surrounding area.  We believe that they will be very popular.”

Pensioners Eileen and Geoff Highley who lived on Halifax Road for 31 years moved to a Council flat on Henderson Street in 2003 after they were told about the plans to demolish the row of properties.

Eileen said: “We are happy to have moved.  It was a bit of a shock when we heard that the houses were going to be demolished, but the neighbourhood team were very helpful and we told them what we would like.  We got the price that we wanted for the house plus a homeloss compensation payment and our moving costs were paid for.  I think it is good that new terrace homes will soon replace the old ones.”

The new £967,000 development, designed by Denovo Design includes energy saving measures such as high insulation in the walls and roof together with double glazed windows -  to cut fuel bills.  Tenants’ water bills will also be reduced because all the bathrooms will have low flush toilets, spray taps and showers - and rainwater from the roofs will be collected in butts for watering plants.

A terraced design was chosen to fit in with the style of the rest of Halifax Road as well as being thermally efficient.  A new access road will be built at the rear with parking for residents and a communal space surfaced in coloured gravel.

Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder acquired the properties so that the land could be made available for the new development. The Pathfinder is investing £48 million in the first two years of a 15 year project to improve areas of both boroughs. 

Norman Force of the Rochdale Housing Market Renewal team said: “The existing properties are very old and in a bad condition.  We want to help provide a better mix of housing to suit the needs of local families. This is one of many housing projects the Pathfinder has in the pipeline to help transform areas of Rochdale.”