Capital & Centric readies plans for Rochdale neighbourhood

The Manchester-based developer plans to build more than 200 homes on a derelict plot of land at Central Retail Park close to Rochdale railway station. 

Capital & Centric, in collaboration with the council and the borough’s inward investment organisation, Rochdale Development Agency, said it will deliver a mix of high- and low-rise houses, as well as apartments, through its Neighbourhood housing concept – a model of affordable housing which maximises  living space within the property as well as allowing for high-density development.

The Neighbourhood concept was previously known as Nowhaus.

The project, which will be known as Neighbourhood Rochdale, will also include a linear park, running track, gym and community hub alongside community space such as café-bars and delis.

The homes, to be built by contractor Willmott Dixon, will be built on the 4.7-acre plot of land next to the retail park which has been vacant for a decade. The council bought the site for £13m in December 2018 from Town Centre Securities. 

A planning application for the scheme, designed by Liverpool-based architect ShedKM, had been hoped for this year, but delays caused by Covid-19 have pushed that date back to early 2021. 

The development site is located close to Rochdale train station

Subject to planning approval, construction could begin next year. 

Adam Higgins, co-founder of Capital & Centric, said: “Many Greater Manchester towns have been hit hard by the declining high street but there’s a huge opportunity for places like Rochdale to reinvent themselves with town centre living.

“The council has a really ambitious vision to transform the town centre and we’re working with them to create an aspirational community with energy efficient homes, game-changing architecture and all the amenities that will attract people to town centre living.”

Cllr John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Council, said: “With millions already invested into Rochdale town centre, we’ve set the bar very high in terms of want to achieve here and this type of high quality housing is the perfect fit.

“To see the first large scheme come forward from Rochdale’s Rail Corridor strategy is a major milestone and shows the commitment to the strategy.”

The development is part of Rochdale Council’s £400m regeneration strategy which includes the aim of boosting the amount of town centre housing.

Capital & Centric’s development forms part of the council’s plan to build 7,000 homes around Rochdale’s five railway stations.  

Speaking to Place North West at the time of the Central Park acquisition, John Searle, director of economy at Rochdale Council, said that the acquisition was part of the council “putting our money where our mouth is” on its commitment to build more homes in the town centre.