Rochdale Station Gateway revamp moves forward

Plans to transform the area around the railway station would feature a public park aimed at sprucing up the arrival to the town.

Rochdale Council’s cabinet has progressed the project to the next stage, giving the green light for technical detailed design work to get underway.

The authority already has planning permission for the project and work could begin in September with George Cox and Sons lined up as main contractor.

Arcadis is the lead consultant for the scheme with Layer.studio as design guardian.

The public realm project forms part of the Rochdale Rail Corridor Strategy, aimed at regenerating areas around the borough’s five train stations: Rochdale, Smithy Bridge, Castleton, Mills Hill, and Littleborough.

The opportunity around Rochdale station includes up to 1,700 homes, more than 40,000 sq ft of commercial space, and around 25,000 sq ft of retail.

Cllr Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration and housing at Rochdale Council, said the plans would “transform a major gateway into the borough”.

“As well as improving this important and vibrant neighbourhood, these changes will also better connect it to the newly regenerated Rochdale town centre, which is just a short walk away.

“This project will play a major role in our wider plans to make the best use of our brownfield land, particularly around major transport hubs, to create high-quality public spaces, much-needed housing and business space.”