Anxiety, Frustration, Anger and Fear: Tenants of Rochdale’s “Seven Sisters” Tower Blocks Face Uncertain Future
Rochdale, England – 28 September 2025 – For a decade, residents of the iconic Seven Sisters tower blocks – officially known as the College Bank estate – have lived under a cloud of anxiety, frustration, anger and fear. The mood stems from a protracted battle with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) over whether their high‑rise homes will be refurbished or knocked down.
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A decade‑long dispute
The estate, a prominent feature of Rochdale’s skyline since the 1960s, was once described by locals as a, “happy community”. That changed in 2017 when RBH unveiled a £100 million plan to demolish four of the towers – Mitchell Hey, Dunkirk Rise, Tentercroft and Town Mill Brow – and replace them with new housing.
The proposal ignited a furious local backlash. Mark Slater, chair of the Save the Seven Sisters (ST7S) campaign recalls finding out that the historic homes were going to be erased. It felt to residents like someone was trying to wipe them out of the town’s history.
After a series of legal challenges and a public inquiry, demolition was ruled out in 2023. Yet the saga took another twist last October when RBH announced it was, “putting all options back on the table”. The housing provider said it had exited an exclusivity agreement with Legal & General, the firm that had been tasked with exploring cost‑effective refurbishment schemes. The new stance left the future of the towers once again in doubt.
“All options” means demolition could return
RBH’s statement said the organisation, “needs further time to complete detailed surveys before publishing a definitive redevelopment plan”. Critics argue that this vague timeline only deepens resident unease.
Residents have been told to wait for surveys for years. Every day they wait, more families are displaced, and the empty flats become a scar on the neighbourhood.
The uncertainty mirrors the fate of a nearby estate, Lower Falinge, where a campaign called Save Lower Falinge (SLF) has recently won a legal injunction delaying a proposed demolition of six vacant blocks. Both estates are now bundled together in RBH’s latest, as‑yet‑unpublished, redevelopment vision.
Tenants take matters into their own hands
In an unusual move, ST7S and SLF have joined forces with the Greater Manchester Tenant Union (GMTU) and a team of 'social architects' from Unit 38 to draft an independent community‑led redevelopment plan. The proposal, still under negotiation, promises comprehensive upgrades – new kitchen units, modern heating, double‑glazing, refurbished bathrooms and safer walkways – while increasing the proportion of family‑size homes.
Campaigners have costed the scheme and found that what can be done can be considerably cheaper than the £100 million figure RBH gave in 2017. If they can keep the refurbishment costs under control, the council can avoid spending millions on temporary accommodation for people displaced by demolition.
The plan, however, remains unpublicised in terms of exact figures. Campaigners have said they will release their cost estimate only after RBH presents a revised budget. Preliminary estimates from the tenant task force suggest the work could be completed within two years, provided funding is secured.
A task force chaired by the mayor
Recognising the political weight of the issue, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has agreed to chair a joint task force alongside Deputy Mayor Paul Dennett, Rochdale housing lead Councillor Danny Meredith, Council Leader Councillor Neil Emmott, and Tom Besford – the MP’s representative. The body is intended to act as a conduit between RBH, the tenant groups and potential funders.
The Rochdale and Greater Manchester authorities owe it to Rochdale’s residents to find a solution that respects both the heritage of these towers and the pressing need for quality social housing. The community’s own ideas must be at the centre of any plan.
The safety legacy of Awaab Ishak
The controversy cannot be separated from the wider context of housing standards in Rochdale. The tragic death of two‑year‑old Awaab Ishak in 2020, who succumbed to toxic mould in a nearby freehold estate, thrust the city’s social housing practices into the national spotlight. The case sparked the introduction of 'Awaab’s Law', which obliges landlords to remedy reported health hazards within set time‑frames.
Following an inquiry, RBH’s chief executive Gareth Swarbrick was dismissed, and the provider was placed under special measures, freezing its access to grant funding for new builds. The freeze was lifted earlier this year after RBH demonstrated compliance with the new standards, reopening avenues for redevelopment financing – a development welcomed by tenant groups eager to move forward.
Numbers tell a stark story
College Bank’s towers are now roughly two‑thirds empty. Over the past ten years, a 'managed decline' policy saw many units vacated, with RBH providing only minimal maintenance. Meanwhile, Lower Falinge hosts 126 vacant homes earmarked for demolition. Combined, the two estates contain hundreds of empty social‑housing units at a time when Rochdale’s waiting list exceeds 22,000 households.
Every empty flat is a missed opportunity to alleviate the housing crisis. Council leader Neil Emmott must act decisively, and listen to the community’s proposals.
What comes next?
RBH has yet to publish a revised redevelopment blueprint, but it has signalled willingness to collaborate with the tenant‑driven task force. The next steps likely involve:
Viewpoints from tenants and campaigners
Residents may feel hopeful for the first time in years, maybe quite optimistic. If tenants can keep their homes, get support to rebuild them properly, and bring families back, this will be a victory for all of Rochdale.
For now, the Seven Sisters tower blocks stand as a silent testament to a community’s resilience amid prolonged uncertainty. Whether the next chapter will be one of demolition or renewed habitation rests on the outcome of negotiations that have, for too long, left residents living in the shadow of a bulldozer.
.jpg)
A decade‑long dispute
The estate, a prominent feature of Rochdale’s skyline since the 1960s, was once described by locals as a, “happy community”. That changed in 2017 when RBH unveiled a £100 million plan to demolish four of the towers – Mitchell Hey, Dunkirk Rise, Tentercroft and Town Mill Brow – and replace them with new housing.
The proposal ignited a furious local backlash. Mark Slater, chair of the Save the Seven Sisters (ST7S) campaign recalls finding out that the historic homes were going to be erased. It felt to residents like someone was trying to wipe them out of the town’s history.
After a series of legal challenges and a public inquiry, demolition was ruled out in 2023. Yet the saga took another twist last October when RBH announced it was, “putting all options back on the table”. The housing provider said it had exited an exclusivity agreement with Legal & General, the firm that had been tasked with exploring cost‑effective refurbishment schemes. The new stance left the future of the towers once again in doubt.
“All options” means demolition could return
RBH’s statement said the organisation, “needs further time to complete detailed surveys before publishing a definitive redevelopment plan”. Critics argue that this vague timeline only deepens resident unease.
Residents have been told to wait for surveys for years. Every day they wait, more families are displaced, and the empty flats become a scar on the neighbourhood.
The uncertainty mirrors the fate of a nearby estate, Lower Falinge, where a campaign called Save Lower Falinge (SLF) has recently won a legal injunction delaying a proposed demolition of six vacant blocks. Both estates are now bundled together in RBH’s latest, as‑yet‑unpublished, redevelopment vision.
Tenants take matters into their own hands
In an unusual move, ST7S and SLF have joined forces with the Greater Manchester Tenant Union (GMTU) and a team of 'social architects' from Unit 38 to draft an independent community‑led redevelopment plan. The proposal, still under negotiation, promises comprehensive upgrades – new kitchen units, modern heating, double‑glazing, refurbished bathrooms and safer walkways – while increasing the proportion of family‑size homes.
Campaigners have costed the scheme and found that what can be done can be considerably cheaper than the £100 million figure RBH gave in 2017. If they can keep the refurbishment costs under control, the council can avoid spending millions on temporary accommodation for people displaced by demolition.
The plan, however, remains unpublicised in terms of exact figures. Campaigners have said they will release their cost estimate only after RBH presents a revised budget. Preliminary estimates from the tenant task force suggest the work could be completed within two years, provided funding is secured.
A task force chaired by the mayor
Recognising the political weight of the issue, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has agreed to chair a joint task force alongside Deputy Mayor Paul Dennett, Rochdale housing lead Councillor Danny Meredith, Council Leader Councillor Neil Emmott, and Tom Besford – the MP’s representative. The body is intended to act as a conduit between RBH, the tenant groups and potential funders.
The Rochdale and Greater Manchester authorities owe it to Rochdale’s residents to find a solution that respects both the heritage of these towers and the pressing need for quality social housing. The community’s own ideas must be at the centre of any plan.
The safety legacy of Awaab Ishak
The controversy cannot be separated from the wider context of housing standards in Rochdale. The tragic death of two‑year‑old Awaab Ishak in 2020, who succumbed to toxic mould in a nearby freehold estate, thrust the city’s social housing practices into the national spotlight. The case sparked the introduction of 'Awaab’s Law', which obliges landlords to remedy reported health hazards within set time‑frames.
Following an inquiry, RBH’s chief executive Gareth Swarbrick was dismissed, and the provider was placed under special measures, freezing its access to grant funding for new builds. The freeze was lifted earlier this year after RBH demonstrated compliance with the new standards, reopening avenues for redevelopment financing – a development welcomed by tenant groups eager to move forward.
Numbers tell a stark story
College Bank’s towers are now roughly two‑thirds empty. Over the past ten years, a 'managed decline' policy saw many units vacated, with RBH providing only minimal maintenance. Meanwhile, Lower Falinge hosts 126 vacant homes earmarked for demolition. Combined, the two estates contain hundreds of empty social‑housing units at a time when Rochdale’s waiting list exceeds 22,000 households.
Every empty flat is a missed opportunity to alleviate the housing crisis. Council leader Neil Emmott must act decisively, and listen to the community’s proposals.
What comes next?
RBH has yet to publish a revised redevelopment blueprint, but it has signalled willingness to collaborate with the tenant‑driven task force. The next steps likely involve:
- Finalising the community plan: ST7S and SLF will present a detailed cost model to RBH and potential funders.
- Securing financing: Options include the Housing Delivery Fund, Greater Manchester’s Local Growth Fund, and private‑sector partnerships.
- Agreeing on a timeline: Both parties aim for a two‑year refurbishment window, contingent on funding approvals.
- Formalising a joint implementation agreement: This would bind RBH to the community plan and provide legal assurance to tenants.
Viewpoints from tenants and campaigners
Residents may feel hopeful for the first time in years, maybe quite optimistic. If tenants can keep their homes, get support to rebuild them properly, and bring families back, this will be a victory for all of Rochdale.
For now, the Seven Sisters tower blocks stand as a silent testament to a community’s resilience amid prolonged uncertainty. Whether the next chapter will be one of demolition or renewed habitation rests on the outcome of negotiations that have, for too long, left residents living in the shadow of a bulldozer.
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