Castleton sidings scheme could unlock transport opportunity
Kellen Homes has submitted proposals to Rochdale Council for a 191-home redevelopment of disused rail infrastructure that could also pave the way for the East Lancashire Railway and Metrolink to expand.
While the developer plans to build almost 200 homes on part of the 27-acre former Castleton sidings, perhaps the more significant part of the scheme – in terms of the regeneration of the wider area – is the opportunity to unlock rail expansion.
The Castleton sidings site has been identified as key to facilitating the extension of the East Lancashire Railway from Heywood to Castleton and increasing annual visitors from 107,000 to 200,000.
In addition, the sidings have also been earmarked for a future tram/train trial “with the intention for the Metrolink to be extended through Castleton to Heywood and Bury”, according to a planning statement by consultancy WSP.
More than 10% of the homes are earmarked for affordable tenures. Credit: via planning documents
Kellen, whose scheme features more than 10% affordable provision, is working with ELR and other stakeholders to ensure the scheme is developed in such a way as to pave the way for the tram and train projects.
WSP’s planning statement explains that the residential element will “release the ELR parcel, which will be transferred to the council to secure the ELR line extension along with additional services and facilities when funds allow”.
The site is identified as a strategic development allocation in the emerging Places for Everyone joint plan.
To learn more about the scheme, search for reference number 23/00431/HYBR on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.
The development is Kellen’s second in Rochdale. The developer, headed up by Renaker founder Daren Whittaker, is also planning to bring forward 311 homes of the former Rex Mill site.
Are you fitting homes with solar pv, ashp, are you planting trees a minimum of 5 per house, are you making at least 50% affordable for local young
residents?
By Clive
Is the East Lancs Railway being used as a proper service in the future? Or just a heritage line? This resource is sitting there idle, when through the week it could get commuters into Manchester and Bury.
By Elephant
The access road on the plans to this site are not fit for purpose. The access road should be made through the section stating ELR land. It makes more sense and would cause less disruption. The access shown from Fairway, means lorries will be forced to use a narrow terraced street with cars parked on either side which may be a big problem for them. Making a road directly from Heywood Road makes more sense and would less traffic disruption.
By Anonymous
Lots of “could” and “intentions”. What is fact is that the proposed vehicular access to this development is via unsuitable residential roads which will have a serious negative impact on the lives of hundreds of existing homeowners. We’re getting used to this in Castleton. Aside from one new primary school (please don’t get me started on the infamous cycle lane) there has been no improvement to infrastructure despite the hundreds and hundreds of houses built on brownfield sites (and therefore thousands of new residents). I don’t have an issue with building on brownfield to be clear, just the watering down of already inadequate services. Building thousands of new houses to decimate the greenbelt just a mile up the road, however, is abhorrent
By Danny
Yeah Naaa! That plan won’t work. Simple as that. Know the area well. Access as shown is utterly inappropriate and will cause appalling congestion. Large vehicles will simply not be able to access at all if.. God forbid… Residents actually dare park outside their own homes
By Bernard Fender
What is not being mentioned is the fact that all the local streets will need to made in to a one way system and the “proposed” entrance and exit on to the new estate is being created using 2 cul de sacs in Fairway of which I have been a resident for 26 years. The amount of traffic expected will turn our quiet estate into dangerous, congested roads, with the possibility of hundreds of extra cars using narrow side streets.
There is a perfectly suitable entrance at Heywoid Road which Kellen Homes have confirmed will be used whilst construction is ongoing. The claim of the ELR coming to castleton has been touted for the last 15 years at least with no progress. We have no objection to another new estate but not at the expense of the original housing estate which has been there since 1971. When Fairway residents can no longer park outside their own homes, we may no choice but to park outside the homes of the new estate
By Leigh
You need to find an alternative entrance and exit as an estimated 400 extra cars going round narrow side streets like Fairway, Heywood Rd and Partington St not to mention a nursery and primary school churning out all that extra pollution when you could simply use the Heywòd Rd entrance which would reduce all those problems. If the reason purchasing this entrance would be too costly, then surely people’s lives aren’t worth much.
By Nick
16 houses per acre is typical build out… why so few?
By Anonymous