Residents of a town’s landmark set of 1960s tower blocks have been ordered to move out due to safety concerns.
Social landlord Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) said a survey of the building had revealed safety issues with the towers, named College Bank but known locally as the Seven Sisters.
The remaining residents in 229 flats across the seven blocks have been told they must vacate in the coming weeks.
RBH’s chief executive Amanda Newton said: “This was a very difficult decision that is wholly focused on ensuring the long-term safety of the customers in College Bank.”
Independent experts have been undertaking safety and structural surveys of each of the seven buildings, which will inform a decision on the future of the blocks by the end of the year, RBH said.
Structural and electrical issues; problems with the water pumping system; roof damage; and the ever-increasing costs for customers to heat and light their homes were all raised in the surveys.
RBH says it is managing these safety risks right now, but these issues are becoming ever more pressing as the buildings continue to age
All tenants have been told of the decision and will be supported to move over the coming months, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
This includes financial support offered by the social housing landlord, as well as assistance in finding new and suitable places to live.
Ms Newton said she understood the news would be “deeply unsettling” for residents of the towers.
“I am also truly sorry for the uncertainty and delays over a number of years,” she said.
“We are committed to supporting our customers throughout, providing them all with the tailored and significant support they need to find a new home suitable for their individual needs.”
RBH revealed plans to demolish the towers in 2017, sparking a local campaign to stop the plans, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Demolition was then ruled out in 2023 before the social landlord in 2023 said they had put “all options back on the table”.
RBH said no decision on the potential demolition of the tower blocks had been made, and that all options, including refurbishment , would require residents to move out.
