Agreement sealed for Rochdale homes development

Thousands of new homes for neighbourhoods of Rochdale are a step closer, following an agreement between Rochdale Council and developers BASE.

The Framework Agreement commits the partners to build hundreds of new homes at several sites in neighbourhoods to the east of Rochdale town centre. The homes will be a mix of tenures, offering properties for sale, for rent and shared ownership.

The locations include Nelson Place, where building work is well advanced on 25 energy-efficient and beautifully designed houses. The former Dale Mill site in Hamer is also being prepared, and construction will start soon on 83 houses and apartments. The high quality of design of both sites was recognised by success last year at the National Design Awards.

The Agreement was signed in the Mayor's Parlour at Rochdale town hall. It will also help to secure employment and training opportunities for local people. More than 130 people have begun training and found construction jobs this year through J21, the Pathfinder's labour into construction initiative.

Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Rochdale Council's Lead Member for Housing, said: "I am very pleased that we have reached this important milestone. The high quality homes that we can see emerging at Nelson Place show what can and will be achieved throughout the area."

Alastair Graham, Director of the HMR Pathfinder said:, "The agreement cements the excellent progress that the partnership is making to transform the housing on offer in these Rochdale neighbourhoods."