Lower Falinge revamp hits snag after judicial review

The demolition of six apartment blocks close to the Seven Sisters has been put on hold after two neighbours were successful in their legal case against Rochdale Council’s approval of the project.

Registered provider Rochdale Borough Housing had sought prior approval to raze the Quinton, Vaynor, Ullesthorp, Ollierton, Newstead, and Romsey apartment blocks in the town. Built in the 1970s, these stacked maisonettes hold approximately 126 flats between them.

The demolition of the flats would enable the wider regeneration of the area, which is the subject of its own supplementary planning document. This larger plan would ultimately lead to the razing of more than 400 properties, which would be replaced with greener, more modern homes.

Rochdale Council had approved the demolition in April. However, two residents living nearby objected. Their lawyer, Cornerstone Barristers, described them as “campaigners for refurbishment and retention of social housing”. They filed a judicial review on four grounds, of which one was conceded by the council.

This was that Rochdale Council had failed to adequately provide reasons as to why the project was not subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment. Regulations require schemes of more than 150 homes to be subject to the EIA regime should they have the potential to impact the environment.

While this application for prior approval involved 126 homes, it should have been considered within the wider context, Cornerstone Barristers argued. Rochdale Council agreed that it should have better justified its decision that an EIA was not required.

The review result means that Rochdale Council will now need to reconsider the application. RBH is optimistic it will once again receive an approval, which will enable its contractor J Freeley to commence work.

“We’re confident that our current application complies with all the relevant planning guidance, including the Lower Falinge supplementary planning document,” said Hannah Fleming, RBH director of regeneration and development.

“We hope our application can be approved quickly so that we can move forward with our plans.”

Fleming also explained the reasoning for the application in the first place.

“We’re committed to our long-running plans to create much needed high quality family homes and a brighter, greener Lower Falinge,” Fleming said.

“We are pleased that the demolition of the nearby commercial sites is nearing completion,” she continued.

“The flats earmarked for demolition are considered to be at the end of their life and are in a condition that would mean they cannot be occupied and would not be safe and warm homes.

“The only sustainable and affordable solution is to demolish them and build new homes that will meet the aspirations of the current and next generation of customers.”

To review the application for prior approval for the demolition, search reference 25/00292/DEM on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.