Demolition could be dealt to Seven Sisters towers
The ending of an exclusivity agreement between Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Legal & General Affordable Homes could put the Rochdale towers in jeopardy.
With the housing association’s plans for the tower’s refurbishment exceeding £107m, RBH and LGAH had been working to find a long-term solution but failed to reach a commercially viable agreement for their renewal.
RBH are now “considering all other options”, which includes the potential for demolition.
Amanda Newton, chief executive of RBH, said: “[It’s] critical we make sound financial decisions and spend every penny of our customers’ rent money wisely.
“Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach a commercially viable agreement that both RBH and LGAH were comfortable with from a risk perspective.”
College Bank, to the Northwest of Rochdale, is a collection of seven 100-flat tower blocks affectionately named the Seven Sisters by locals.
They were built in the 1960s but are now in poor and declining condition.
The towers are home to more than 250 residents, but are only a third full, with a total site capacity of 700 flats.
RBH has said the end of its agreement with LGAH would allow it to be more flexible, providing the housing association with greater scope to pursue alternative ideas for College Bank.
RBH is now engaging in independent structural surveys, demand analysis, ground investigations, and financial modelling to inform future decision-making for the site.
The housing association will shortly be looking for contractors to aid in its plans for the site.
Improvements to the blocks and outdoor public realm will continue as promised to residents.
RBH had previously announced its intention to demolish the towers before the government allowed Rochdale Council to open a housing revenue account, allowing the council to own and manage its social housing.
An LGAH spokesperson reiterated the failure to reach an agreement with RBH and said: “RBH will be exploring alternative routes for the delivery of the project.
“We [at LGAH] remain committed to sustainably delivering much-need affordable housing that meets the needs of local communities across the country.”
LGAH indicated its desire to invest in the affordable housing sector long-term.
RBH’s Newton added: “We know this will be disappointing for customers living in College Bank, but the work completed in the last few months has taken us forward and will not be lost.
“Considering options independently will take a number of months, and whilst we know this brings further uncertainty, we will continue to engage with residents throughout.”
Seems to be a bit of waste to have 500 empty homes, when there is a desperate shortage of affordable homes. £100m renovation to release an additional 500 homes and to renovate the 250 already occupied seems a bargain.
By ALL
Surely the longer they drag their arguments out, the higher the renovation bill will be. If we are to address the lack of social housing in Rochdale, then these flats have to be brought back to standard and used to house families, desperate for a safe, comfortable home.
By Tracy Furnell
These blocks will be a money pit. I can’t believe £107 million will be anywhere near enough to renovate them to a decent homes and building safety standard I also doubt there will be much demand for them from families in Rochdale.
By Anonymous
There can be little doubt that the whole situation has been poorly mismanaged by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) who since the transfer to it of the Council’s housing stock ten years ago has seemed out of its depth.
There is a declared housing crisis within the borough with 22,000 people chasing 10,000 properties and an anticipated waiting period of five years. The flats have much potential but since the collapse of the Legal and General deal something needs to be done. The Council is likely to resist demolition but it could demonstrate leadership by opening a housing revenue account and taking responsibility for the seven blocks by seeking their transfer back.
By Andrew Hutchinson
Perhaps a cheaper refurbishment plus an external clean and smartening up would be ok, 107£ million seems a lot, how can it have to be as much as that..
By ...,...?
Perhaps it’s better just to pull them down and put something else up like new low level flats of say 8 or 10 storeys , longer lower building, maybe they could be look like the smart new college building..
By Anom