Seven Sisters future to be decided by year end as residents asked to leave
All residents within the 1960s Rochdale tower blocks have been asked to depart amid safety concerns, as bosses weigh up what to do with the town’s skyline-defining buildings.
Residents will vacate the Seven Sisters in Rochdale – officially known as College Bank – over the coming months after structural surveys threw up some worrying findings.
Structural and electrical issues as well as problems with the water pumping system, roof damage, and costs for customers to heat and light their homes were among the surveys’ findings.
A decision on whether to refurb or demolish the towers – either in full or in part – will be made before the end of the year, according to Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, which owns the blocks.
Amanda Newton, chief executive of RBH, apologised to residents.
“This was a very difficult decision that is wholly focused on ensuring the long-term safety of the customers in College Bank,” she said.
“I understand how deeply unsettling this news will be for people living in College Bank, and I am also truly sorry for the uncertainty and delays over a number of years.”
She added: “We are committed to supporting our customers throughout, providing them all with the tailored and significant support they need to find a new home suitable for their individual needs.”
The news follows years of uncertainty over the buildings, which comprise 700 flats and are currently around one-third full.
The Seven Sisters were built in the 1960s but are now in poor and declining condition.
RBH had previously announced its intention to demolish the towers before the government allowed Rochdale Council to open a housing revenue account, allowing the council to own and manage its social housing.
A subsequent appraisal put the cost of refurbishment north of £100m and a partnership with Legal & General to explore options for the site bore no fruit.
RBH will support residents vacating the blocks to find new homes.
“Our customers’ safety and wellbeing is our absolute priority,” Newton said.
“Our RBH colleagues, myself included, will be at College Bank speaking to our residents, answering their questions, and ensuring they are aware of all the help and support available to them.
“We will work with our customers to ensure that they have certainty for the future, while providing them with new safe, warm affordable homes.”
Knock them down and build some new 21st century homes fit for purpose.
I can almost guarantee that if they start refurbishing them it will become a bottomless pit of money. Regulations since those flats were built have changed dramatically.
By Peter Chapman
Time to move on and remove these bleak buildings they are an eyesore. Replace them with football trainings grounds for the community and Rochdale FC.
By Sandylaner
RBH need to get on and demolish all blocks and replace them with suitable medium and low rise affordable housing. The regulations following the Building Safety Act makes refurbishment unaffordable. The regulations will mean that these will not be the only social housing multistory blocks to be demolished, I suspect blocks in Manchester, Salford and Stockport will be next.
By Anonymous
Only problem is that if they are levelled it’ll end up with another Muse style development with little if any social housing as RBWH don’t have the cash and a private developer wants a return. Are you going to see 230 social housing units on the site? I don’t think so.
By Annoying Mouse
Same for Lower Falinge make Rochdale look better..always say South Manchester is better but why keep flats..your council does not move on..
By Patrick
Imagine a world where you build 7 new, 21C towers on the same footprints. Except you build them taller (be ambitious), to a banging standard and mixed tenures to help pay for it all. You rebuild the community, allow new people in and create something really special.
By Slightly mad