Major Regeneration Scheme Near Rochdale’s Drake Street Reaches Key Milestones
Town hall bosses have hailed the, "significant progress", being made on a transformative regeneration project that is set to reshape the landscape around Rochdale’s Drake Street and the railway station.
The ambitious scheme, which aims to create a seamless connection between the town’s main railway hub and the town centre, is currently seeing the construction of new two, three, and four-bedroom homes on vacant land adjacent to Rochdale’s Central Retail Park.
The development, named John Rennie Place in honour of the legendary Scottish civil engineer who contributed to the design of the Rochdale Canal, is a cornerstone of the wider project. In addition to the houses, the plans include a new public square in front of the station and 33 new apartments on a brownfield site at the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road.
While the transformation has been a long-held ambition for the local authority, it was delayed for years due to investment challenges. The project was finally unlocked last year following a successful bid for £15 million from the government’s Community Regeneration Partnerships Fund. Construction officially began in November last year, with a scheduled completion date of December 2027.
Rochdale Council officials say the project is already proving to be a catalyst for the local economy. Lead contractor Willmott Dixon has already invested more than £3 million into the local supply chain, specifically with Rochdale-based civil engineering firm Hovington Ltd.
The social impact of the build is also becoming evident. The project has supported almost two years worth of apprenticeship and T-Level training to date, including T-Level placements for students from Hopwood Hall College. Additionally, a handful of local residents have secured employment on the site—including individuals who were previously unemployed—with recruitment facilitated by the council’s work and skills team.
A spokesperson for the local authority noted that the development is about more than just bricks and mortar; it is about creating a vibrant new development for the borough and providing high-quality housing in a sustainable location.
The transformation is far from over. Work is currently ongoing to prepare for the delivery of more than 100 additional apartments next to the new homes. Procurement for a delivery partner for this next phase is expected to get underway shortly.
As the aesthetics near Drake Street continue to change, the council remains confident that the December 2027 completion will mark a new era for Rochdale’s urban core, linking its industrial heritage with a modern, residential future.
The ambitious scheme, which aims to create a seamless connection between the town’s main railway hub and the town centre, is currently seeing the construction of new two, three, and four-bedroom homes on vacant land adjacent to Rochdale’s Central Retail Park.
The development, named John Rennie Place in honour of the legendary Scottish civil engineer who contributed to the design of the Rochdale Canal, is a cornerstone of the wider project. In addition to the houses, the plans include a new public square in front of the station and 33 new apartments on a brownfield site at the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road.
While the transformation has been a long-held ambition for the local authority, it was delayed for years due to investment challenges. The project was finally unlocked last year following a successful bid for £15 million from the government’s Community Regeneration Partnerships Fund. Construction officially began in November last year, with a scheduled completion date of December 2027.
Rochdale Council officials say the project is already proving to be a catalyst for the local economy. Lead contractor Willmott Dixon has already invested more than £3 million into the local supply chain, specifically with Rochdale-based civil engineering firm Hovington Ltd.
The social impact of the build is also becoming evident. The project has supported almost two years worth of apprenticeship and T-Level training to date, including T-Level placements for students from Hopwood Hall College. Additionally, a handful of local residents have secured employment on the site—including individuals who were previously unemployed—with recruitment facilitated by the council’s work and skills team.
A spokesperson for the local authority noted that the development is about more than just bricks and mortar; it is about creating a vibrant new development for the borough and providing high-quality housing in a sustainable location.
The transformation is far from over. Work is currently ongoing to prepare for the delivery of more than 100 additional apartments next to the new homes. Procurement for a delivery partner for this next phase is expected to get underway shortly.
As the aesthetics near Drake Street continue to change, the council remains confident that the December 2027 completion will mark a new era for Rochdale’s urban core, linking its industrial heritage with a modern, residential future.
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