Investing in the future as council leader hails £20m cash injection

Wednesday, 5 March 2025 08:20

By David Murphy

Heywood Civic will be transformed as part of the council's ambitious regeneration plans

The leader of Rochdale Borough Council has welcomed a £20m government funding boost for Heywood as part of the government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative.

Councillor Neil Emmott said the cash injection would enhance the council’s ambitious regenerations plans for Middleton, Heywood, Rochdale and the Pennines.

Heywood is one of just 75 areas to get a share of the £1.5bn government package, delivered over the next decade, helping to boost growth, health and wellbeing, create jobs and transform local communities.

The money will be targeted across Heywood, complementing the council’s vision to transform the town centre with new homes, revamp the civic centre, support culture and the evening economy, enhance safety and create new green spaces.

Decisions on how the £20m will be spent will be taken by the local Neighbourhood Board, which brings together councillors, residents, businesses and community campaigners and is already working on an investment plan to be submitted to government later this year.

Councillor Emmott said: “Today’s welcome government announcement is about putting control in the hands of local people, who are best placed to decide how they want this money spent. Following on from the council’s radical budget proposals, this is another boost for our ambitious regeneration plans for township areas like Heywood and Middleton. The funding boost underlines both the council’s and government’s commitment to invest in our communities and unleash the enormous potential we have locally”.

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

Paul Waugh MP Welcomes Major Flood Prevention Funding for Rochdale

Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale, has welcomed a major government investment in flood prevention measures for the area, securing funding for both local and strategic schemes following his recent lobbying of ministers for urgent action.
Supported housing to help people live independently

New housing to support those with mental health issues to live independently has come another step closer.
Rochdale's year as Greater Manchester’s cultural hot spot

Rochdale is set for a spectacular year of festivals, performances, exhibitions and art, entertaining residents and attracting thousands of visitors from across the region.
Rochdale education awards return for second year

The achievements of Rochdale’s teachers, tutors, support staff and education professionals are to once again be officially celebrated as the borough’s education awards return for a second year.
Mayor of Greater Manchester calls for fix to England’s ‘broken’ taxi licensing system

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham calls for devolved powers on taxis to fix a broken national taxi system
Police and partner initiative launched in Rochdale town centre to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

The new Clear, Hold, Build initiative, known locally as Operation Tetbury, will see a dedicated neighbourhood policing team work closely with Rochdale Council, local support services, visitors, and the local business community to understand the root causes of the issues which are affecting them the most.
Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson dies aged 36

Joe Thompson, the former Rochdale AFC midfielder and cancer awareness advocate, has died at the age of 36.
New McDonald’s drive-thru plan officially tabled

A new McDonald’s drive-thru could soon be coming to Rochdale.
Detective Sergeant Dismissed and Banned from Policing following Sexual Assault Conviction

A Greater Manchester Police detective has been formally dismissed from the force and barred from ever returning to policing after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault.
Each candidate hoping to win the Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election

Seven candidates will battle it out at next month’s by-election to become Rochdale’s newest councillor.
Thousands enjoy spectacular town centre parade

More than 2,500 flocked to Rochdale Town Hall Square as the ‘Flight of Fancy’ parade came to town last week.
GMP and partners made more than 130 visits to business premises as part of a national intensification crackdown in March

The three-week-long action, called Operation Machinize, began with three warrants on 3 March, which resulted in the recovery of 150 cannabis plants, the arrest of three individuals, and the detention of two individuals by Immigration Enforcement.