Countryside Partnerships, part of Vistry Group, alongside its partner, affordable housing provider, Great Places, welcomed Rochdale Borough Council to Calico Grove to see a development that has transformed the site of the former Royle Works in Castleton, Rochdale.
The site was once home to the world’s largest cotton mill, but this was largely demolished by 1979. It is now being turned into a community of 198 homes, 102 of which will be affordable and managed by Great Places, while the remaining 96 will be available on the open market. 168 of the homes will be 3- and 4- bedroom family homes, the remaining 30 being 2- bedroom affordable properties.
Additionally, there will also be a block of 24 apartments built on site. As part of the development, Countryside is also investing over £500,000 into local primary education. Councillor Peter Williams, the council’s assistant cabinet member for regeneration and housing, and Mark Robinson, Rochdale Borough Council’s director of economy, joined the partners for a tour of the site and the recently opened show homes, and also had the opportunity to meet with some residents who had recently moved into a Great Places affordable rented property.
Joe Turner, managing director, Manchester and Cheshire East Countryside Partnerships, said:“It was great to welcome Rochdale Borough Council to the site as their support has been vital in our aim to transform a vacant historic site into a community that that the borough can be proud of. The collaboration with Great Places at Calico Grove is an important one, with the vast majority of the affordable homes being much needed 3- and 4- bedroom family homes. Together we are delivering the homes that people need in the areas that need them most.”
Councillor Williams, assistant cabinet member for regeneration and housing, Rochdale Borough Council said: “it’s great to see this brownfield site, which has been vacant for many years, being redeveloped into high quality new homes. This project is not only creating much-needed housing, 50 per cent of which will be affordable, but it will change the face of the whole area.
“We’ve worked with partners over a period of time to support the delivery of this project and secured a £1.65m grant from the GMCA’s brownfield land fund to help redevelop the area.
“The creation of high quality new homes on former brownfield sites, close to key transport hubs, is also part of our wider rail corridor strategy which is supporting the ongoing regeneration of areas like Castleton.”
Helen Spencer, executive director of Growth at Great Places, commented: “We’re proud to be part of this historic site’s transformation into a vibrant community that offers a much-needed range of affordable homes for Rochdale residents.
“We’re delighted with the feedback from our customers who have moved into their new homes at Calico Grove and look forward to continuing our work with Countryside Partnerships and Rochdale Council to deliver more homes that meet their needs and aspirations of the local community.”
