Proposed sites
The main sites identified for development in Rochdale under the latest proposals are:
- The Northern Gateway
1,200 new homes and 350,000 square metres of new employment space. This will utilise land between junctions 18 and 19 of the M62 motorway, close to Heywood Distribution Park. The site will be served by a new 2.2km link road from junction 19 of the M62. A new rail connection could also be developed from Heywood to Bury via Castleton, alongside the extension of the tram to Middleton. New bus links would connect the site with Heywood, Bury, Middleton, Rochdale and Manchester city centre. - Stakehill
1,680 new homes, previously 900, and around 35,000 square metres of employment space, previously 100,000, close to the Stakehill roundabout. There are also proposals for additional school place provision at Thornham St John’s Primary School and a potential new railway station at Slattocks. A section of the Green Belt will be retained through the centre of the site. - Bamford and Norden
450 high-quality homes off Bamford Road. Sports facilities in the area will be retained and significantly improved using contributions from the development. - Castleton Sidings
125 new homes and improving the open space around Castleton railway station. The land has also been earmarked as part of this scheme to enable the extension of the East Lancs Railway into Castleton. - Crimble Mill
250 high-quality new homes and restoring the Grade II listed Crimble Mill. The proposals also include enhanced recreational open space and land for the expansion of All Soul’s Primary School. - Land north of Smithy Bridge
300 new homes and a new primary school. The land includes the former Akzo Nobel site, off Hollingworth Road. The proposal will also create improved pedestrian links and deliver improved visitor parking in the area to serve Hollingworth Lake Country Park. - Newhey Quarry
250 new homes with additional parking facilities close to the Newhey Metrolink stop. - Roch Valley
200 new homes, previously 210, close to Smithy Bridge Railway Station. This supports the new residential relief road between Smithy Bridge Road and Albert Royds Street and contributes to support new local school places. - Trows Farm, Castleton
This proposal creates around 550 new homes (previously 360) on land south of Crown Business Park and contributes to a new primary school to serve Castleton. New walking and cycling routes will also be delivered as part of this allocation.