Rochdale Township committee agree sale of land at Wellington Place and Ramsay Street

Councillors on the Rochdale Township Committee have agreed the disposal of land at Wellington Place and Ramsay Street, Rochdale.

The section of land between Ramsay Street and Wellington Place was originally bought by the council under a compulsory purchase order as part of a multi-million pound regeneration scheme across the Wardleworth area but the scheme was scrapped when the coalition government took office in 2010.

The report to councillors stated: “The land was formerly the site of 51-59 Ramsay Street. The properties were acquired as part of the Housing Market Renewal programme and have since been demolished. The current nature of the site is an un-grassed open area. The site measures 627 square metres.

“The site is no longer required as part of the Housing Market Renewal Programme and it has been agreed in principle that the site should be offered for sale to the adjacent business for car parking in association with the business.

“Ramsay Street suffers from congestion caused mainly by local businesses and releasing this land for car parking will alleviate this congestion. On the UDP, the land is unallocated and it is open to a variety of uses including parking. The purchaser will pay market value for the site.”

Speaking at the meeting yesterday (Wednesday 22 July), Councillor Terry Linden said: “When you look at what is happening in that area, this will have to be built. I fully support this plan.”

Councillor Shefali Farooq Ahmed said: “I am aware of the area and I think a car park would really help to enhance the area and help with the parking, traffic and congestion issues. I fully support this.”

Councillor Sultan Ali said: “We need car park spaces in that area. I invite anyone to come down to this area at 1pm on a Friday or 3pm any day during the week and see for yourselves. It would be hard for any emergency service vehicle to get through. This is a no brainer.”

It is understood that the purchaser will pay market value for the site but it is not yet know what that value is.