Planning approval for 191 homes on Rochdale brownfield site

A development of 191 new homes for Rochdale has been approved by the council’s planning committee.

Located close to Castleton train station, the brownfield site was allocated for housing within the Places for Everyone Plan.

Twenty nine of the homes will be affordable, delivered by First Choice, to give everyone a chance of getting on the housing ladder and having a place to call home.

Alongside the homes will be new walking and cycling routes, a central garden square with a children’s play area, and a publicly-accessible Ecology Park which will deliver a biodiversity net gain of 10% and open up new green spaces for the people of Rochdale.

Historically, the site was used as a former railway siding but is now vacant and has fallen into disrepair. Building on its industrial heritage, land will be safeguarded to support a future tram/train expansion as well as a portion of the site being gifted to the East Lancashire Railway to support their future expansion, boosting tourism across the borough.

It is estimated that the new residents will generate around £2.6m in local spend per year, and through the planning agreement the developer, Kellen Homes, will contribute £450,000 towards local education and £300,000 toward Mayfield Rugby Club.

CGI of Castleton Sidings

Mark Waite, Head of Planning at Kellen Homes, said: “We are thrilled to receive the green light for our new community at Castleton Sidings.

“Castleton Sidings has long been identified as a catalyst for the sustainable regeneration of Castleton. The scheme approved today is the culmination of three years of collaboration with residents, members and officers, and Kellen is proud to be delivering a project that meets the needs of the community and as well as contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the area.”

Key features of the development include:

• 191 modern, attractive homes designed to suit the needs of the local community, with two-, three- and four-bedrooms and 29 designated as affordable
• New vehicle access points via The Fairways and Heywood Road to the north
• Land gifted to the East Lancashire Railway to support its future expansion and land reserved for a potential tram service
• The retention of Green Belt land within the eastern portion of the site as an Ecology Park to provide 10% biodiversity net gain
• A central garden square which provides a children’s play area and enhanced walking and cycling routes into the Bee Network

Modern methods of construction will be used to make the build process greener, faster, and more efficient, minimising impact on the environment and surrounding residents, and local apprentices will be hired to work on the scheme.