Views sought on conservation area status for Syke

Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to give Syke conservation area status in order to celebrate and help protect its historic character.

Syke is located on the historic packhorse route. In the days before the canals and railways, horses would use this route to move goods between Lancashire and Cheshire. This trading system was used until well into the 19th century.

The area contains several listed weavers’ cottages, which are characterised by their distinctive windows on the upper floors which allowed in lots of light, lengthening the working day at a time before electric lighting. Other important local buildings include the farms and surviving mills.

Conservation area status would help to protect the heritage of this area by bringing attention to its unique landscape, historic links and architecture, as well as providing the local community with a strong sense of identity and pride.  

Designating Syke as a conservation area would also give the local planning authority extra controls to protect the special character and appearance of the area.     

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We have some wonderful historic sights and buildings across the borough and Syke is no exception. Conservation area status would give people the opportunity to further understand and celebrate the area’s fantastic heritage and help protect it from unsympathetic development. I would urge residents to get involved with this consultation and give us their views.”  

If the area was to be granted the status, it would be the 28th conservation area in the borough. Other sites which already have the status include Maclure Road, where the old Rochdale Fire Station and St John the Baptist Church are located, Catley Lane Head, which is known as Cotton Famine Road, Manchester Old Rd in Middleton, which features a number of buildings designed by the late architect, Edgar Wood, Rochdale town centre and Heywood station and Phoenix Brewery.

People can find the consultation documents online at: https://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/ 

They can also view paper copies of the documents in the following places:
•    Norden Library, Shawfield Road, Rochdale, OL12 7RQ 
•    Rochdale Central Library, Number One Riverside, Rochdale, OL16 1XU 
•    Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale, OL12 7AL 
•    Syke Community Base, Syke Methodist Church, Syke Road, OL12 9TF 

Alternatively, people can email: conservationand.design@rochdale.gov.uk to find out more.

The consultation will close at midnight on Monday 9 December.