Campaigners Halt Demolition of Rochdale Housing Blocks After Successful Legal Challenge
Rochdale, Greater Manchester – Plans to demolish six housing blocks on the Lower Falinge estate have been brought to a dramatic halt following a successful legal challenge by local campaigners. The decision forces the housing association, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), to reapply for planning permission if it wishes to proceed with its controversial regeneration plans.
The maisonette blocks earmarked for the wrecking ball—Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor—contain a total of 126 homes. RBH has maintained that bulldozing the 1970s-style buildings is the only affordable option for regenerating the estate, which in 2013 was named the most deprived area in England for the fifth consecutive year.
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The vacant blocks have been gradually emptied of residents since 2017 as part of a wider redevelopment strategy that has already seen millions of pounds invested into new housing on the estate. However, the proposal to level the six blocks, which received planning approval from the council in April, met with fierce opposition.
Campaigners, many of whom live in neighbouring blocks that are not scheduled for demolition, launched a judicial review against the decision. They argued that the demolition work, set to take place right next to their homes, would cause a huge disruption to their lives, impact their human rights, and had been approved without proper consideration of environmental impact assessments.
In a significant victory for the residents, it has been revealed that Rochdale council has conceded the judicial review. This decision effectively nullifies the planning permission granted in April and forces RBH back to the drawing board.
For now, the future of the six empty blocks is uncertain. The site off Spotland Road will be maintained as vacant grassland until RBH makes a decision on the next stages of its redevelopment plans. While newer housing blocks stand as a testament to the ongoing investment in the area, this legal victory ensures that the fate of the older buildings, and the concerns of the community living alongside them, must be given fresh consideration.
The maisonette blocks earmarked for the wrecking ball—Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor—contain a total of 126 homes. RBH has maintained that bulldozing the 1970s-style buildings is the only affordable option for regenerating the estate, which in 2013 was named the most deprived area in England for the fifth consecutive year.
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The vacant blocks have been gradually emptied of residents since 2017 as part of a wider redevelopment strategy that has already seen millions of pounds invested into new housing on the estate. However, the proposal to level the six blocks, which received planning approval from the council in April, met with fierce opposition.
Campaigners, many of whom live in neighbouring blocks that are not scheduled for demolition, launched a judicial review against the decision. They argued that the demolition work, set to take place right next to their homes, would cause a huge disruption to their lives, impact their human rights, and had been approved without proper consideration of environmental impact assessments.
In a significant victory for the residents, it has been revealed that Rochdale council has conceded the judicial review. This decision effectively nullifies the planning permission granted in April and forces RBH back to the drawing board.
For now, the future of the six empty blocks is uncertain. The site off Spotland Road will be maintained as vacant grassland until RBH makes a decision on the next stages of its redevelopment plans. While newer housing blocks stand as a testament to the ongoing investment in the area, this legal victory ensures that the fate of the older buildings, and the concerns of the community living alongside them, must be given fresh consideration.
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