L&G on board as RBH steps up bid to save Seven Sisters
Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is working with Legal & General Affordable Homes to develop a “long-term funding solution” that could see the high-rise blocks avoid the wrecking ball.
Having announced its intention to demolish the Seven Sisters in 2019, Rochdale Council rowed back on the idea last summer after the government allowed it to open a housing revenue account.
This means the council can once again own and manage social housing.
Not only could this result in the development of new council housing stock across the borough, it also opens the door to the possibility of saving the Seven Sisters.
Now, RBH, which currently manages the College Bank blocks, is working with L&G to “explore alternative options for the blocks” including retaining them all.
An RBH spokesperson said: “One of the options we are looking at is to retain all seven blocks, which would be modernised and refurbished to provide high-quality, energy-efficient homes.
“By working together with Legal & General Affordable Homes, we may be able to deliver a viable proposal that allows us to retain all seven blocks.”
The spokesperson added: “We can’t access all the funding required to bring the blocks up to the required standard alone. Legal & General Affordable Homes will bring in funding and expertise to help with modernisation. Together we are also looking at other potential sources of funding.”
L&G said the opportunity was in line with its ethos but was keen to stress that the process is at a nascent stage.
A spokesperson said: “Clearly, as a long-term responsible investor, there is a huge opportunity to help fund green regeneration, and this type of funding fits in with our inclusive capitalism approach.
“However, these are currently only early-stage conversations, and, as the proposed approach evolves, RBH and L&G will be consulting with residents and local stakeholders.”
Opposition to the demolition of the blocks has always remained strong. A local residents support group and a cohort of councillors have repeatedly made the case to protect the buildings, saying they are essential to the local community. In 2020, Cllr Faisal Rana wrote to the housing minister asking for an intervention over the matter.
Architectural critics have also rallied behind the campaign to save the buildings, which were built in the 1960s as a higher standard of council accommodation with the specific intent of attracting young professionals.
Terrible news, they need to come down
By Gilly
‘Gilly’
It should be up to the residents. They have ‘skin in the game’.
By SW
They’re people’s homes Gilly. Much better to preserve and improve than simply demolish.
By Anonymous
dynamite the lot asap
By Tannoy
Either raze them or save them and add balconies.
By Balcony Monitor
Don’t knock the old council tower blocks.
They are on the way back.
By Ted
These iconic buildings should be saved, with the right management current problems can be solved. Unfortunately the right management is not RBH who have only agreed to help save the flats after tenants and council officers forced their hand. I’m glad the tower blocks are being saved.
By Scoobie262
My grandma lived there from when they were built until she died in 2009. She absolutely loved living there – on 14th floor of Holland Rise. I have such happy memories of growing up visiting her there. If they have declined it is a deliberate managed decline by shoddy management. They’re well built, well designed flats! They have nice balconies and great views. We need high rise accommodation as it’s the only way to build the number of affordable homes necessary for the growing population- like they do in many other countries. We need to destigmatise high rise living.
By Vera
They should demolish them. They will cost an absolute fortune to upgrade and they will still look dated and out of place. Best do what most other councils are doing with their tired old 1960’s concrete slabs and demolish them and build back better , right
By Anonymous
Why would the council want to save the Seven Sisters they are an eyesore for all the North west. Filled with drugs , drink and unemployment. Amongst other things which the local people know about. Time to get with the times and demolish these ugly buildings. Build something new and hopefully give the tenants new lease of life else where.
Or is it due to rent / revenue as to why they don’t want to demolish them they rake in some moment don’t they.
By Bob