Stakehill Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan Completed: A Strategic Step Towards Net Zero

Posted by on 19 Jun 2025

The completion of the Stakehill Local Industrial Decarbonisation Plan (LIDP) marks a key milestone in Rochdale’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2038.
                                                           

Funded by Innovate UK and supported by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), this project is part of a £6 million national initiative aimed at accelerating decarbonisation outside the UK’s major industrial clusters.

The LIDP provides a robust, data-led roadmap for cutting emissions across Stakehill Industrial Estate, located in one of Greater Manchester’s key strategic employment sites and a cornerstone of the Atom Valley Mayoral Development Zone. Led by the Rochdale Development Agency and delivered in partnership with Rochdale Council, Stakehill BID, the University of Manchester, SSE Energy Solutions, and the Energy Innovation Agency, the project demonstrates how targeted intervention at estate level can drive clean growth while enhancing business competitiveness and resilience.

Through detailed energy modelling and extensive stakeholder engagement, the LIDP has delivered a comprehensive Decarbonisation Plan alongside a practical, business-friendly toolkit. These tools support companies in taking immediate action through quick-win energy-saving measures while laying the groundwork for long-term transformation.

Councillor Neil Emmott, Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This plan puts Rochdale firmly on the map as a climate leader. It’s a clear demonstration of how local action can contribute to national goals, and it shows what’s possible when councils, businesses, and universities work together with purpose.”

Although the initial funding period has ended, the project partners remain committed to advancing this agenda. Immediate priorities include developing a business case and action plan to deliver the Decarbonisation Plan, deepening collaboration with local businesses, and maintaining strong alignment with local, regional, and national policy objectives. A series of workshops and forums will support continued business engagement, while the toolkit will be actively promoted to support implementation on the ground.

Nathan Sanders, Managing Director, SSE Energy Solutions said: “We are proud to have supported the development of the Stakehill LIDP, which demonstrates how strategic collaboration between public and private sectors can accelerate the transition to net zero. This plan provides a replicable model for industrial decarbonisation that aligns with national priorities and supports local economic growth.”

David Schiele, Director, Energy Innovation Agency added: “Stakehill LIDP is a powerful example of a place-based programme in action. It shows how coordinated local interventions through partnerships can contribute meaningfully to the UK’s wider decarbonisation objectives, while fostering innovation and economic resilience for business in industrial areas.”

Looking to the future, the stakeholder group will focus on securing further public and private investment, enhancing data and monitoring systems, and progressing shared infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives. The strategy remains adaptive, ensuring responsiveness to emerging technologies, market shifts, and policy developments.

Anthony Smith, Chair, Stakehill BID said: “This has been a real learning curve. We’ve seen first-hand how working together can spark practical change. The BID is here to support our businesses, and this plan gives us the tools to do just that.”

Councillor Philip Massey and a Stakehill BID Director added, “The LIDP has helped us to understand the scale of the challenge and identify opportunities to make our industries more sustainable. Decarbonisation is not a burden; it’s a route to greater resilience and innovation, not just for businesses at Stakehill but across our borough and beyond.”

In 2019, Rochdale declared a climate emergency, setting an ambitious target of reaching carbon neutrality by 2038. The completion of the LIDP demonstrates a clear and practical commitment to that goal, helping businesses reduce emissions while becoming more competitive and resilient.

Councillor Tricia Ayrton, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Environment commented “This is more than a plan, it’s a statement of intent. It translates our climate ambitions into practical, locally-led action. It reflects Rochdale’s commitment to net zero and provides a clear framework for business support, and sustainable industrial growth.”

As part of Atom Valley, home to ambitions for 20,000 jobs, 7,000 new homes, and 17 million square feet of employment space, Stakehill is uniquely placed to become a national exemplar for industrial decarbonisation. The LIDP reinforces Rochdale’s role in delivering on Greater Manchester’s carbon neutrality targets and the UK’s broader Net Zero ambitions, demonstrating how industrial growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.

Read the Decarbonisation Plan and Toolkit HERE