‘Hundreds of empty homes in Rochdale as people sleep on streets’ | Manchester News

In a town in Greater Manchester, four tower blocks – part of renowned landmark – lie in almost total darkness.

Looking up at the College Bank tower blocks – known locally as the Seven Sisters – just a few windows project a twinkle of light across the Rochdale skyline.

These flats belong to a handful of residents who have hung onto their homes after demolition talks were ignited eight years ago – the other five hundred properties lie deserted.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) has been in talks to demolish four of the blocks for nearly a decade after it said upgrades were too expensive, but years later, tenants say they are still none the wiser as to future plans.

Mark Slater, chair of the campaign to save the Seven Sisters, who has lived in the Mardyke tower block for ten years, described the situation as a scandal.

He said: “It is a disgrace that we have empty properties and people are out tonight, sleeping in hostels and bed and breakfasts, and we are talking about children here and families.”

The Mitchell Hey building was to be the first block to be demolished after plans were announced in 2017, which resulted in many residents leaving.

Now, just four out of a possible 120 apartments are being used.

Audrey Middlehurst, 89, has lived in the block for 37 years.

She said: “I am quite happy where I am. This flat is like being in a small bungalow, why should I move?”

In 2022, RBH was placed into special measures following the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from exposure to mould in one of their homes – just a mile away from the Seven Sisters.

At the time, the coroner ruled that Awaab died as a direct result of mould in his flat.

The social landlord’s downgrading means it cannot attract investment to repair the Seven Sisters despite a new leadership team being brought in 2023.

But a deal with between RBH and developer Legal & General Affordable Housing (LGAH) collapsed last year.

John Hurn, who has lived in the Tentercroft tower block with his wife Sharon, for 18 years, said: “Not knowing what’s happening, I get frustrated”.

Christina Hartley, who lives in the Dunkirk Rise tower block, said: “It’s memories, my family grew up around here.

“This is home to me. Rochdale is home.”

Joan Wainwright says her flat in the Town Mill Brow tower block is “absolutely freezing”.

Ms Wainwright has lived there for 35 years and says she only ever heats one room – her lounge.

She said: “My electric bills at the minute are running roughly £75 a week – the building is so cold.

“I have said from day one I am not going anywhere so you can put the lights out when you get me out.”

Under Labour’s new plans, Rochdale has been told to build 918 new homes per year by 2029.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We have inherited the worst housing crisis in living memory and the government is clear that the only way to meet the demand for social homes is to build more of them.

“That is why we are already taking decisive action to deliver the biggest increase in affordable and social housebuilding in a generation, including an extra £500 million in funding.”

Paul Waugh, Labour MP for Rochdale said there was “no reason” why the Seven Sisters could not be refurbished but there needed to be the “right solution” to do it.

While councillor Daniel Meredith, Labour cabinet member for housing at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I am happy to be involved in that taskforce but my red line is demolition because at the end of the day we need to see homes within this borough, to house families.”

Amanda Newton, RBH chief executive, said they had 28,000 people living in their homes and it was “critical” they made sound financial decisions on homes across the whole borough.

“We have advised our customers living in College Bank and our partners that we are undertaking detailed surveys to inform the options for College Bank,” she said.

“Until we have this information, all options must remain on the table to ensure that we arrive at a sustainable and affordable solution.

“We know that the uncertainty of recent years has been difficult for our customers living in College Bank and that they have been waiting for too long for a way forward to be confirmed, and for that we are truly sorry.”