Work starts on major housing development following government cash injection

Posted by on 6 Nov 2025

Work to create 81 new homes on a brownfield site close to Rochdale town centre is under way, following the appointment of contractor, Willmott Dixon. The project will transform the vast site on land near Drake Street, which is on the doorstep of Rochdale railway station and is a key gateway into the borough, but has been empty for a number of years.

The development, known as Station Gardens, will consist of two, three and four bedroom homes, which will be available with a mix of tenures including social and affordable homes. The project has been made possible following a successful bid for £15m from the government’s Community Regeneration Partnerships Fund.

The properties will be the first net zero homes delivered as part of a housing scheme supported by the council, with completion expected in early 2028.

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council and RDA Board member said: “It’s great to finally break ground on this site, as we’ve been working hard to move this project forward, following an unsuccessful funding bid to the previous government. We kept at it and were delighted to recently receive the money from the community regeneration partnership, which has enabled us to get going. “These new homes will be fantastic addition to this area, transforming a site which has been empty for years into a thriving new neighbourhood which will be built to the highest environmental standards.”
The development is part of the council’s rail corridor strategy, which aims to regenerate the areas around Rochdale’s five railway stations with new homes on brownfield sites.

It’s also part of the wider regeneration of the area around Rochdale railway station, which involves the creation of a new public square in front of the station and 33 new apartments on a brownfield site on the corner of Maclure Road and Station Road, whose construction is set to start in early 2026.

MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh, said: “My number one job as MP for Rochdale is to get our town the government investment it really deserves. So I’m delighted this new Community Regeneration Funding is being put to work on the long derelict former MFI site. “Working with Rochdale Borough Council, the GMCA and developers like Willmott Dixon, that means more affordable and social homes, as well as construction jobs for local people.”

Michael Poole-Sutherland, director for the North West at Willmott Dixon said: “We’re extremely proud to play our part in the continued regeneration of Rochdale in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency. “We share Rochdale Borough Council and RDA’s passion for ensuring Station Gardens leaves a lasting legacy in this community. As part of this, we will create employment opportunities for local people who have been long-term unemployed and will be engaging with both T-Level and apprentice students at Hopwood Hall College, Rochdale Sixth Form and Hollingworth High School, offering 180 weeks of training throughout the project.”

The project is being delivered by Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council, with Willmott Dixon acting as main contractor.