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.
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