A scheme to deliver 81 new homes for local people in Rochdale is already delivering huge social value across the borough.
The development of 2, 3-and 4-bedroom homes on a brownfield site next to Rochdale’s Central Retail Park is due for completion in December 2027, but has already created bumper benefits for the wider community.
Contractor Willmott Dixon, working on behalf of the council, has already spent £3.3 million with local civil engineering firm, Hovington Ltd, which is based less than a mile from the site and carried out all the groundwork on the scheme. Willmott Dixon is also finalising contracts with another 2 Rochdale businesses, which will take the local spend to £5 million.
In addition, Willmott Dixon has supported a total of 95 weeks of apprenticeship and T-Level training, including 3 T-Level placements from Hopwood Hall College, who have honed their skills during placements on site. Specific projects are also taking place with local schools, including Newhouse Academy. The team from Willmott Dixon and Faber Joinery supported a group of year 10 students from the Heywood secondary school as they work towards the Baker Award, a nationally recognised accreditation which helps get young people ready for the workplace. In addition, they also supported the school’s Young Leaders Programme by delivering a careers in construction session, sharing insight into the vast array of careers available in the industry.
7 local people are also employed on the project, including two people who were previously unemployed, with the council’s work and skills team supporting the recruitment.
Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said:
”We want local people and businesses to feel the benefit of local projects and it’s great to see that these benefits are already being felt on this development before a single house has even been completed.
“By ensuring that social value is embedded in our procurement system, we’re making sure that local people are invested in the extensive regeneration which is taking place on their doorstep and are benefitting from the economic transformation we’re spearheading across the borough. That’s how it should be and how it will continue to be.”
The Willmott Dixon team has also taken part in fundraising drives for treasured local charities, including Springhill Hospice, which has been given £1,800, and they’ve prepared and delivered hot meals across the borough on behalf of local charity, Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale (HMR) Circle.
Tommy Patterson, 22, from Middleton, is one of the local people working on the new homes. He said:
“I had been out of work for six months when the job centre arranged for me to get my CSCS card and that led to me securing a scaffolding apprenticeship here on site. I have always worked and had been let go, so getting this job was a lifeline. I live on my own and was struggling to pay my bills. It’s great to work here. Everyone is lovely; it’s a smashing team.”
Daniel Fletcher, 17, is studying for a T Level in design, surveying and planning at Hopwood Hall College, with a view to becoming a quantity surveyor. He said:
“I really like it here. I’ve been talking to the different trades delivering this project, so I’ve been exposed to different parts of the job, and I have the freedom to go onto site on my own. It’s already changed massively since I started in the summer.”
The development, known as John Rennie Place, in honour of the late Scottish Civil engineer who masterminded the Rochdale Canal, got under way in November last year, and is due for completion in December 2027.
The new homes, which will all be built to net zero standard, have transformed a long derelict site close to Rochdale railway station and the project has attracted £15 million from the government’s community regeneration partnerships fund.
The project is being led by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council.
Mike Lane, Director of Operations at Willmott Dixon, said:
“We share Rochdale Council and Rochdale Development Agency’s passion for ensuring John Rennie Place is built for the people of Rochdale by the people of Rochdale.
“We are committed to creating a lasting legacy beyond the project. Our team are incredibly proud to have delivered a bespoke ‘Building Lives Academy’ skills programme for local people not in education, employment or training (NEET). We’re looking forward to continuing our community projects in the area and continuing our work with Hopwood Hall College, supporting their T-Level students and delivering further work experience placements.”
Work to create 142 apartments next to the new homes is ongoing, with the procurement of a delivery partner expected to get underway soon.