Rochdale council approves 445-home scheme

Rochdale Borough Council has approved a 445-home development in Castleton, Middleton. 

Developers GLP Trows and Barratt David Wilson will deliver a mix of two to five-bedroom dwellings for market housing subject to securing a section 106 planning agreement and other conditions.

Under section 106 terms, the developers have been asked to contribute an initial £3.75m for offsite affordable housing and a 10% biodiversity net gain.

They may also direct additional available funds to more affordable housing off-site, as well as financial support for a primary and secondary school, outdoor sports facilities and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), depending on the scheme’s viability changes over the course of delivery.

New or updated healthcare facilities ‘proportionate to the additional demand’ that the new scheme would generate are also required, according to a report to the planning committee.

>>See also: Springfield signs deal to sell 2,500 plots of land to Barratt Redrow

The neighbourhood lies to the south of Cowm Top Business Park, close to the M62 and will have open green space and playgrounds.

Architectural practice Escape Urbanists is designing the new neighbourhood, while WSP acted as the planning agent on behalf of the applicants.

The site forms part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Places for Everyone Plan, which aims to boost employment and new homes by maximising the use of brownfield land and urban spaces across various areas in the region.