Lucy Langford, Senior Project Officer

Posted on 1 Sep 2025

Lucy Langford is Senior Project Officer in the Major Projects Team where she plays a key role in delivering regeneration projects across the borough, from major improvements at Rochdale Station to residential developments and public realm schemes along the rail corridor.

Tell me a bit about yourself

I’m Lucy, and I live in Rochdale, where I also grew up. I went to school here before moving to Nottingham for university, where I studied Business Management. After university, I lived in Manchester for a while before gradually making my way back home to Rochdale, where I’ve been for the past six years.

I love living here because it offers the best of both worlds, you can walk out your front door and be surrounded by greenery, or within half an hour, you can be in Manchester. It’s also great to be near my family and friends, many of whom have also moved back to Rochdale after living elsewhere.

What is your role with the RDA?

I’m a Senior Project Officer in the Major Projects Team at the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA). My team is responsible for delivering key developments across the borough, including public realm improvements, refurbishing historic buildings, and creating new facilities like the Riverside Shopping Centre, Upperbanks apartments, and the new Hampton by Hilton hotel in the town centre.

I focus specifically on projects along the rail corridor, which includes five stations in the borough—Littleborough, Smithy Bridge, Rochdale, Castleton, and Mills Hill. My work involves identifying land for development, planning regeneration projects, and working closely with partners like Network Rail to improve the stations and surrounding areas. Some of my key projects at the moment include Station Square, the Corner Plot development (a 33-unit residential scheme), and Station Gardens, which has planning permission for 240 new homes.

Why did you choose to work with the RDA?

Before joining the RDA, I worked in sales and lettings, primarily dealing with new-build housing developments. I was always fascinated by the process of creating new places and communities, and I wanted to be involved in the actual delivery of projects rather than just selling the finished product.

I was also looking for a better work-life balance. My previous job involved a three-hour round-trip commute every day, which left little time for anything else. When I saw the opportunity with the RDA, it seemed like the perfect fit, working on projects I was passionate about while being closer to home.

Even though I didn’t have direct experience in project management, the team at RDA was incredibly supportive, and I’ve learned so much since joining three years ago. It’s been great to develop my skills while working on projects that make a real difference to the town I grew up in.

What projects do you work on?

My main focus is on the regeneration of areas around the borough’s railway stations. At Rochdale Station, we’re delivering major improvements, including Station Square, residential developments, and making the station itself a more welcoming gateway into the town.

Beyond Rochdale, I’m involved in projects at Castleton, where we’re working with Network Rail to unlock land for development, and at Littleborough, where a masterplan has been approved to create a new public square and bring forward high-quality housing. overlooking the canal.

These projects are crucial as Rochdale continues to grow, especially with the development of Atom Valley, which will create thousands of highly skilled jobs. People will need great places to live, and our work along the rail corridor is helping to provide that.

What do you really enjoy about your profession?

I love that I’m part of something that’s shaping the future of Rochdale. When I was younger, I didn’t spend much time in the town centre, but seeing the transformation over the years has been amazing. Now, I get to contribute to that change myself.

It’s also incredibly rewarding when people see Rochdale in a new light. So many times, when consultants or visitors come to the town for meetings, they’re blown away by the investments and improvements.

It’s great to challenge the outdated perceptions and show that Rochdale is a fantastic place to live, work, and visit.

What makes you get up in the morning?

Honestly, I really enjoy my job. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. I don’t wake up dreading the workday, and that makes a huge difference. Having a short commute and a better work-life balance helps too.

But more than that, I’m excited to see the impact of the work we’re doing. In the next 18 months, the whole area around Rochdale Station will look completely different, and I can’t wait to see these projects come to life. Knowing that I’m contributing to something that will benefit the town for years to come is a great motivator.

Tell me something people don’t know about you

One fact very few people know about me is growing up I was actually quite a good musician.  I’ve played instruments since the age of 5, and can play the piano, tenor horn, saxophone, flugelhorn and the cornet.  For nearly 15 years, I was a member of the Rochdale Music Service, performing at Rochdale Town Hall regularly.  We also travelled across the UK and Europe a lot, particularly to Heywood’s twin town Piene, in Germany.