Print Comments (12) Email

Town centre re-development setback

Date published: 17 March 2010

The Council's town centre re-development partner, Genr8, was given three months, to the 1 March, to provide further clarification of their ability to fund the scheme's significant pre-development costs and has failed to do so.

This is the latest setback for a troubled scheme that has seen the original chosen developer walk away after the tender process was ruled unlawful. The re-run attracted the interest of only one developer, Genr8.

With the 1 March deadline missed, a confidential report to the Council Cabinet from Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) seeks to justify an extension of the deadline for a further three months. RDA is managing the process of confirming the adequacy of the funding arrangements.

It is acknowledged that it is crucial that Genr8’s funding arrangements are validated due to the significant pre development costs of the scheme; however, there is a risk that if the Council agrees the extension and Genr8 are still unable to secure funding support before the new deadline, the scheme would face further delays with potentially serious consequences.

If an extension of the deadline is not given, and the Council withdraws from discussions with Genr8, the Council would then have to find another development partner and due to the current economic situation, and the consequent low level of interest, it is likely to prove very difficult - expert advice is that a wait of 12 months would be advisable before offering the scheme to the market again. This would delay the redevelopment by at least 18 months, even if another suitable partner could be found, and such a delay could have serious knock on effects, for example, it could cause GMPTE problems with progressing the funding of the Transport Interchange, which in turn could cause problems in bringing Metrolink to town.

The decision on the deadline extension will be taken behind closed doors at a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday 22 March - the press and public will be excluded from witnessing any of the discussion.

Comments

I really do despair.

We reap what we sow. The council should have done this a few years ago when the boom time meant funding was available. Or if it hadn't messed up the first process we could have built it during the recession when building costs would have been say 20% cheaper.
My guess is that we will be left with nothing. No funding, no scheme and a town centre that continues to decline. For 40 years we have been let down by our public officials and nothing has changed.

Have I stumbled into a Comedy sketch?
Or have Rochdale Council used the celebrity and hospitality budget to employ that well known Lib Dem supporter John Cleese - another comedian nearly as renowned Rochdale Council for his comedy timing - to get his Monty Python buddies to write the stage directions for this farce?
Or it's a prelude to the Feel Good Festival and a cunning ploy to have us all in hysterics before the event? We knew they were clowns never thought they'd morph into a comedey act.

Roger Ellis should resign at once, this farce has gone on too long. It wouldn't surprise me if we hadn't already paid a celebrity to open our new non existent town centre. Resign Sir, resign.

Set back after set back.
I was on a bus this afternoon and overheard a conversation (yes I look like a taxi with the doors wide open) by a gentleman and elderly lady, they were talking about Rochdale travelling backwards, I thought this is a joke, unfortunately we arrived at my stop, before the punch line. Then I read this article about Rochdale having another set back.
I despair also.

Roger Ellis won't resign; he is waiting for his £1/2 million leaving package.

God forbid this shambolic excuse for a political party gets enough votes to hold the balance of power in the upcoming general election. Rowen and his cronies have managed to make this once proud town a total laughing stock. What once where pioneers are now gravy train fodder.
Use your vote and let's get rid of this lot ASAP!

That the decision on the deadline extension will be taken behind closed doors at a meeting with the press and public being excluded from witnessing any of the discussion should surprise no one in Rochdale who has been following this ‘re-generation’ debacle - from standing start to current quagmire in a mere three years - well done RMBC truly Olympic Standard ineptitude.
One wonders why are the Press also excluded from this meeting?
What have they got to hide?
Top marks Rochdale Online!

It is not Roger Ellis who needs to resign, it's those elected to instruct him what to do, that need to be removed. Not all, but at least some.

You seriously think anything will change no matter which one of the parties gets in?
Mr Ellis is the captain of this fast sinking ship and the blame lies squarely at his feet. It is his job to ensure that once the decision to improve the town centre had been made it was performed in the most efficient way to the tax payers. This farce has accomplished non of those things.
Give him the cheque now and get somebody in who knows how to run a town.

On a strictly personal basis, I do not find the current situation surprising. If we examine the economic situation it is essential to appreciate that large business enterprises are very clued up when it comes to projecting gains or losses.
The UK already had the biggest national debt in Europe in 2002, so the prospect of a "bust" was well established.
Due to Britain's worsened financial position now, I have grave doubts that we will see any non-vital major developments anywhere in the UK now.

100's of millions of public money pouring into regeneration sites around the UK, many 'stalled' as investors and developers sit on their hands waiting for a fast buck.
Like bankers’ bonuses there’s been little scrutiny of the vast sums invested.
Surprising, considering how bound up the financial crisis was with the property market.
First round of the Government’s Kick start programme.
= £360 million + 136 projects = 22 in the Northwest
= + £48 MILLION total NW
= + BILLION in UK