Plans to transform the area around Rochdale railway station have taken a major step forward, with the council’s cabinet giving the green light for technical detailed design work to get underway.
Proposals to regenerate the area, a key gateway into the borough, involve creating a new public square with planting and benches in front of the station entrance.
The wider scheme also proposes new homes and business space, alongside a 500-space park and ride facility on Miall Street.
The council secured planning permission to progress the scheme in July last year and it is a key part of the borough’s wider rail strategy, which seeks to develop brownfield land around Rochdale’s 5 railway stations, with new homes, businesses and improved public realm and transport connections.
Since the proposals were first approved, small changes have been made to the plans, following feedback from local residents and councillors, to retain access for the 471 bus route to the north of the railway station through Tweedale Street and Milkstone centre.
In addition, the council recently secured £1 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s brownfield land fund to create new apartments and retail units in a council owned corner plot at 29–41 Maclure Road.
