Developer to deliver UK first Neighbourhood concept in Rochdale

Plans have been announced to redevelop Rochdale’s former Central Retail Park site into a thriving new community.

Rochdale Borough Council, in partnership with Rochdale Development Agency, has agreed a deal to bring social impact developer Capital&Centric to the town to deliver the vision.

The brownfield site will be the first in the UK to deliver Capital&Centric’s new housing concept ‘Neighbourhood’.

Neighbourhood Rochdale will include more than 200 suburban homes for rent, including a mix of modern, spacious and low carbon homes.

Designed by shedkm to be a sustainable exemplar, it will also include a linear park, running track, gym and community hub alongside community space such as café-bars and delis.

The site is a short walk from both the train station, which offers an easy commute into Manchester city centre, and Rochdale town centre.

The land, which has been vacant for nearly a decade, was previously occupied by Wynsors, Focus and MFI. The plans are part of the transformation of Rochdale town centre, which is in the middle of a £400m regeneration programme.

Cllr John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, business, skills and employment, and board member at the Rochdale Development Agency and chair of the Rochdale Stations Alliance, said: “With millions already invested into Rochdale town centre we’ve set the bar very high in terms of want to achieve here and this type of high-quality housing is the perfect fit.

“To see the first large scheme come forward from Rochdale’s Rail Corridor strategy is a major milestone and shows the commitment to the strategy.

“The work we’re doing to create a high-quality retail and leisure offer and a reimagined public realm, makes Rochdale a really attractive place to live and I know that these will be the first of many new homes to be built in Rochdale.”

Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital&Centric, said: “Many Greater Manchester towns have been hit hard by the declining high street but there’s a huge opportunity for places like Rochdale to reinvent themselves with town centre living.

“The council have a really ambitious vision to transform the town centre and we’re working with them to create an aspirational community with super energy-efficient homes, game changing architecture and all the amenities that will attract people to town centre living.”

Designed to breathe life back into struggling town centres, the Neighbourhood concept could be rolled out by Capital&Centric across the UK.

It aims to reinvent suburban living, designing homes and communities that suit how people live today. Using modern methods of construction and with open plan, design-led homes that maximise the use of space,

Neighbourhood is a challenge to generic, out-dated housing types. Focusing on curating mixed communities for people of all ages, it goes beyond thinking just about housing, and includes workspaces, community hubs and amenities.

Adam added: “Neighbourhood is our way of bridging the gap between urban and suburban living.

“An antidote to poor quality, outdated and uninspiring housing types, it recognises that people want to live in communities, not just homes.

“So, in Rochdale we’re planning plenty of green space, a community hub and café-bar.

“With easy links into Manchester and a proper mix of homes, we see it appealing just as much to young professionals as downsizers. It’ll also be pretty unique in that it’s suburban homes, but all of them will be for rent.”

A planning application for Neighbourhood Rochdale is expected early next year.

It will be built by construction company Willmott Dixon, which recently completed the £80m retail and leisure development nearby at Rochdale Riverside.

Site investigation works started on site yesterday (September 9).