Rochdale adopts Middleton town centre masterplan
The council signed off the strategic vision last Wednesday, which includes the evolution of Middleton Shopping Centre and improved walking and cycling links.
The Middleton Town Centre Masterplan outlines a number of opportunities for Middleton Shopping Centre, such as the use of the rooftop car park as a garden, additional entrances, and an extension to deliver homes or offices.
Architect LDA Design, Civic Engineers, and Aspinall Verdi designed the proposals for Middleton’s town centre, which also include the redevelopment of the former post office and police station to provide a 100,000 sq ft office-led development.
A public square with café seating also figures in the masterplan, as well as a waterside public space near the River Irk.
The submitted proposals follow a four-week public consultation held in October last year.
The masterplan received strong support, with 58% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing with the council’s vision.
Concerns were raised around traffic flow, loss of car parking, and increased pollution following implementation of the plan. The masterplan has therefore been updated to provide further consideration of the balance between car parking and development, as work progresses.
They need to open up the two lane’s at the roundabouts and scrap the bus lanes there a waste of space they could do with demolishing the arndale and building a new shopping centre that will attract big name shops and an indoor market
By Gary kiernan
This is a complete travesty of the truth. There are no plans for the Police Station. Less than fifty per cent of respondents approved of the plans. At the public meeting attended by 65 residents the objections to the plan were universal and overwhelming.
By Anonymous
Hi Anonymous. Thanks for engaging with our article. The council did approve this masterplan which does call for the redevelopment of the police station. That is true, as written in our article. Regarding public feedback on those proposals, while they may have been negative it did not stop the council’s vote on the matter. – J
By Julia Hatmaker
What is going to happen to Warwick Mill?
By David Ryder
Let’s hope this Masterplan will produce something that enhances Middleton town centre. I was brought up in Middleton and it was a lovely market town until Rochdale MBC took over and totally destroyed Middleton town centre. I look forward with interest to see if the proposals in the Masterplan live up to their expectations.
By A Cynical
It is a shame that the plans are not a little bit more ambitious when it comes to shifting land use from the car to the pedestrian, but it is a good start. Most of Middleton town centre’s problems as a place, relate to being carved up by road infrastructure.
By Local Interest
Middleton is an ancient Lancashire town, ruined post war by Manchester overspill estates. The area around the Old Boards head is very sought after with some terrific architecture. The Metrolink would revitalise it and I believe that is going to happen.
By Elephant
Was there a meeting for the residents of middleton. I never heard about one.
By Anonymous
Are the council going to incorporate 1 bedroom apartments in the redevelopment it would be a nice gesture for pensioners I feel there is a shortage of these properties thank-you.
By Interested party
Close the police station, its a waste of money, its closed at nights and weekends supported via Rochdale. Reinstated Middleton Gardens instead of the current concrete jungle!
By Tony Wroe
What are the plans for the carbon footprint? And having 15 minute cities? This isn’t about the area. It never has been. It’s about building zero carbon cities by 2030!! Time to tell the truth. The plans are online for all to see.
By Marie Whittall