Countryside, Together wrap up Littleborough land deal
The developer and housing association have acquired the former Azko Nobel site from Homes England having secured permission for its redevelopment into 126 homes.
Rochdale Council granted Countryside Partnerships and Together Housing Group planning consent for the Littleborough residential scheme earlier this year.
Countryside – then Vistry Partnerships – was originally selected by Homes England to build the development in 2021.
The 19-acre site has long been earmarked for housing and is allocated for redevelopment in the emerging Places for Everyone plan.
Andrew Poyner, managing director of Countryside Partnerships Yorkshire, said: “It is fantastic to complete the purchase of this site and to begin delivering a development that will completely transform this part of Rochdale.
“We have worked closely with Homes England and Together Housing to bring forward the proposals and by using the strengths and choice of Vistry Group we can also utilise the Bovis Homes brand for the first time in this region, delivering a mix of quality new homes that will appeal to a wide range of customers.”
The land deal means work can now commence, drawing a line under 15 years of failed attempts to redevelop the site.
Homes England acquired the plot for £10m in 2017, stepping in following three unsuccessful attempts to build homes there.
The first was in 2005 when housebuilder Bellway Homes withdrew its plans to develop 280 units on the site due to contamination fears.
Woodford Group’s proposals for 164 homes in 2006 did not progress either.
More recently, Countryside Properties was granted planning permission for a 174-home development, which was not delivered.
The application for the current 126-home project was submitted by Barton Willmore, now Stantec.
Golby & Luck is the landscape architect for the scheme, while Pell Frischmann is transport consultant. Eastwood & Partners is advising on drainage and FES on acoustics.
As part of the development, Countryside Partnerships will be investing nearly £700,000 into the local community, the majority of which will go into local education provision and outdoor sports provision.
Jon Irvine, Northern development director of Homes England, said the scheme will “bring the site back into meaningful use, 16 years since the closure of the former Akzo Nobel works”.
“We look forward to seeing this mixed tenure scheme coming forward and will continue to work in partnership with Countryside to support housing delivery on the site.”
It is expected that work will commence this summer with the first homes available in 2024.
Homes England was advised by Trowers & Hamlins, Savills and Pell Frischmann.
Rather than residential I believe that site would have been safer developed as small industrial , semi industrial, administrative , or cottage industry stepping stone type units.
Providing jobs for the too many residential property occupiers.
Small blocks of four with appopriate
Landscaping.
By Peter Reed
Traffic congestion, no high school places, no doctors places or dentists. Nowhere to park your cars. Terrible train and bus services.
By Anonymous
More of our countryside and wildlife destroyed
By Anonymous
Complete lack of understanding what the community needs
By Anonymous
Very nice. And how will access be given into yhis new housing development? It has just taken me 20 mins in traffic coming down that road from the lake to littleborough. Has anyone thought about the impact of cars for 126 houses, considering households usually have more than 1 car these days.
By Anonymous
This land should be left un developed and transformed into a local wild spot to support wild life and provide a place to be visited much like happens to filled in quarries.
The local infrastructure has no capacity to support further residential development.
By Sarah hargreaves
“More of our countryside and wildlife destroyed”. Fairly loose definition of ‘countryside and wildlife’ given the site formerly housed chemical works.
By Anonymous