Middleton regeneration plans to be presented to councillors

An ambitious plan which is set to transform Middleton town centre is set to be reviewed by councillors next week.

The new Middleton masterplan aims to boost the town by creating new housing and commercial space, improving connectivity across the area and working with the private sector to bring major historic sites like Warwick Mill back into use.

The plan was first unveiled in autumn last year, before a public consultation on the proposals took place. Councillors on the Middleton township committee will be updated on the consultation responses when they next meet on 15 February before making a decision on
whether to formally approve the masterplan.

Approval of the plan would be a major step forward for the regeneration of the area, as it will give the council the green light to start developing the ideas in more detail. Crucially, it will also unlock funding options, which the council is actively exploring in detail following the recent failure of its levelling up bid, which would have helped to support some of the proposals.

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for economy and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “While we are disappointed that our levelling up bid was knocked back, we’re still pressing ahead with proposals to transform this area, because it’s a really important part of our borough. Middleton has benefitted from investment in recent years, but there’s a lot more we would like to do to make it an even better place to live and work.

“Middleton has an interesting history, and what came though very strongly in the consultation is that its residents are, rightly, very proud of its heritage. Our proposals will retain and celebrate Middleton’s distinctive character, while creating new opportunities and improving spaces that are not currently working as well as they could for businesses, residents and visitors to the area.”

Proposals outlined in the masterplan include:

• Improved cycling and walking facilities along the Long Street corridor to redress the balance between vehicles and pedestrians and improve safety. The council has already secured over £7m from the Greater Manchester Combined authority for active travel schemes to support this work.
• The pedestrianisation of a section of Market Place, by removing through traffic between Long Street Roundabout and Townley Street. This would allow the creation of a high quality public square, which could support outdoor café seating and improved links to the arena.
• Working with the private sector to unlock key brownfield sites, like Warwick Mill.
• Improving historic shop fronts and public realm across the town centre.
• Development of the area between Eastway and Wood Street with potential for new homes and commercial uses.

The proposals were presented to the public and businesses late last year, as part of a four- week consultation exercise, with strong support for the plan. The possible pedestrianisation of parts of Market Place proved particularly popular, with respondents also very keen to see the area’s strong heritage further enhanced.

The latest proposals build on previous work to regenerate Middleton. Previous masterplans in 2006 and 2011 helped to secure more than £50m of investment for the area, which led to the creation of Middleton Arena, and supported the opening of the bus station and Tesco, among other things.

A number of historic buildings in the Middleton Town Centre Conservation area, including a number designed by famous architect and artist Edgar Wood, have also been upgraded, alongside Middleton Gardens and Middleton Library.

If the new masterplan is approved on 15 February, plans will be drawn up in more detail, with the public given the opportunity for further comment as the scheme progresses.