Empty housing blocks set for demolition

Wednesday, 2 April 2025 12:45

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

Six empty housing blocks on a deprived housing estate in Rochdale are one step closer to being demolished.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) wants to regenerate the Lower Falinge estate, and has determined bulldozing all the blocks is the only affordable option.

The maisonette blocks set to be flattened are Zedburgh, Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor.

If planning permission is granted by the council, RBH intends to level the empty blocks within the next 12 months.

In 2013, the Lower Falinge was named the most deprived area in England for the fifth successive year.

Since then there have been ambitions to redevelop the area to improve standards for residents. Millions has already been invested into newer housing in the area, and social housing landlord RBH intends to continue on that path once the blocks are gone.

In a letter sent to residents, RBH said:

“We aim to complete the demolition of the six empty blocks and the commercial buildings within the next 12 months and will be seeking planning permission in the coming weeks.

“We plan to carry out preparation work soon, so you will see some increased activity around the blocks. Once we have appointed a contractor, we will provide another update which will give you more specific timescales for this work.

“After demolition, these sites will be temporarily grassed while we work with the community and our partners to consider the next projects in the regeneration.

“We have some more work to do before we can share the next stage, and we will make sure that we let you know as soon as we can about how you can get involved in the design of these projects.

“The things you told us in December have been helpful, including your preference for more housing in the area, making Lower Falinge a safer place to live and more community projects.

“We look forward to working with you in the coming years to design and deliver these projects.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Candidates confirmed for Rochdale council by-election next month

Seven candidates have been confirmed to stand in the Balderstone & Kirkholt Ward by-election next month.
Groundbreaking marks start of work at landmark new Radcliffe school

Work has begun on Morgan Sindall Construction’s latest education project in Greater Manchester.
Officers in Bury celebrate Eid with their community

The name Eid al-Fitr translates as "the festival of the breaking of the fast".
Tram crashes surge by 30 per cent in 2024

Crashes involving Metrolink trams and cars surged by 30 per cent last year, new data shows.
Man arrested in early morning sting targeting alleged drug dealers in Bury

This morning (Tuesday 1 April) specialist officers from our organised crime team in Bury executed a warrant at an address on Hollins Road to target a man we believe to be involved in a largescale drugs conspiracy, responsible for facilitating the sale of class A and B drugs.
Empowering mental health recovery and promoting independence

Northern Healthcare is proud to announce the official opening of Saxon House, a new move-on supported living service located on The Rock, Bury, developed in collaboration with Bury Council.
FREE bunny circus school skills at The Rock this Easter

FAMILIES visiting The Rock Shopping Centre this Easter will be able enjoy FREE circus school skills workshops.
No chill from the old bill as rapping OCG jailed for over 40 years

A firearm which has been linked to multiple disputes across Greater Manchester has been seized during a proactive investigation by specialist detectives in our Serious Organised Crime Group into a Manchester based Organised Crime Group (OCG) responsible for supply heroin and crack cocaine via the ‘Lex’ line.
Work finally starts to build permanent secondary school in town left without one for 10 years

After a decade without one, work has finally begun on building a permanent school in a town with more than 30,000 residents.
New Albert’s restaurant wants 3am booze licence

The new Albert’s eatery taking over the old Nutters restaurant site in Norden wants to serve booze until 3am, but locals aren’t keen.
Date announced for Rochdale council by-election

Date announced for Rochdale council by-election
Next step in Prestwich’s future

Work to transform Prestwich village’s centre into a ‘new beating heart for the community’ has taken a step forward with the appointment of a building contractor. The team behind the £100m overhaul of the Longfield Centre and wider central area have appointed Vinci Building ‘to help bring the regeneration to life’.