Oldham and Rochdale get £40m regeneration windfall | Manchester News

Two towns in Greater Manchester are to get £20m each from the government that will go towards building thousands of new homes, a new market and college classrooms.

Oldham and Rochdale will benefit from funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) which will also be used to boost job skills and more affordable homes for local people.

Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said that money enabled the two towns to tackle issues that really matter to the region, rather than a “one-size fits all approach”.

Oldham Council leader councillor Arooj Shah said the investment was a “gamechanger”, while Rochdale Borough Council leader councillor Neil Emmott said he was “delighted”.

The government’s “plan for change” focuses on six “milestones” it aims to achieve by the next general election, including raising living standards and building 1.5m homes in England.

In Oldham, funding will help build up to 2,000 new homes across four sites, including the Prince’s Gate development site, and improve the town’s private rented sector stock and quality.

The One Oldham Fund – which pools resources for the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in the town – will receive funding, and millions will also be invested in sports education and facilities, the HCLG said.

It added Oldham town centre’s retail offering would be maximised by supporting traders from Tommyfield Market to relocate into the Spindles shopping centre, the development of an outdoor market in George Square and the redevelopment of vacant retail units.

Shah said the “huge cash investment” would help restore “pride and hope to our borough” and would “supercharge the ambitious regeneration plans we have for the borough”.

She said: “This £20m of investment into Oldham really is a gamechanger.”

In Rochdale, a former retail park will be transformed to create the Station Gateway development to deliver more than 200 homes.

The Creates Space development will breathe new life into empty town centre units to create local craft workspaces, retail outlets, youth arts centre to help community engagement, the HCLG added.

The Hopwood Hall College Rochdale Campus will also benefit from a rebuild of one of the college’s buildings and an additional floor for higher education and access students will be created, too.

Emmott said he was “delighted” to the secure funding.

“Together, good quality new homes, fantastic educational opportunities and increased access to culture are the cornerstone of the high quality of life we are working so hard to deliver for each and every resident of our borough,” he said.

Local Growth Minister Alex Norris said: “The regeneration and improvements coming to Oldham and Rochdale will really put Greater Manchester at the forefront of our decade of national renewal.

“With this £40m package we are tackling issues that really matter to the region, rather than a one-size fits all approach.

“This tailored package will guarantee long-term, sustainable growth that means more money in people’s pockets as promised in our plan for change.”