Three derelict sites to be compulsorily purchased

The former Castle Inn on Manchester Road, the former Castleton Home for the Elderly and the site of the former DVLA centre on Drake Street are to be compulsorily purchased by the council with the aim of bringing the derelict sites back into use.

The compulsory purchase orders (CPO) were approved by Rochdale Borough Council’s cabinet on Tuesday (25 September).

CPOs are used as a last resort and should only be made where there is a compelling case in the public interest and should only be promoted where such public interest outweighs the interference with the rights of those affected.

1072-1074 Manchester Road was once used as student accommodation by the De La Salle brothers, who acquired Hopwood Hall manor in 1947 for their teacher training college.

Leader of the Council, Allen Brett said: “I actually lived in student accommodation here back in the late 1960s. It’s a very nice building, and surely it had a future.

“We are keen to engage with the owners of all sites.”

A prohibition order under the Housing Act 2004 has been imposed on the former Castle Inn, preventing occupation due to category one hazards.

The building had previously been used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), despite being riddled with dry-rot and having had piping stolen, failing HMO standards.

With significant investment and done properly, the Castle Inn could be converted for residential use, the cabinet heard.

Councillor Brett said: “It does have historical significance. It was a lovely pub, very popular and it’s a crying shame it was allowed to fall into disrepair.”

The derelict land at 206-208 Drake Street, the site of the old Driving Test Centre, has been abandoned for several years and left in a deplorable state with rubbish and litter left strewn all over the area and been the location of several unauthorised encampments.

The previous owner died earlier this year, with the land passing to his son, who put the land on the market.

Council officers say they ‘attempted negotiations’ but the valuations were ‘too far apart’.

The site, described by the leader of the council as ‘a right mess’, has previously been up for auction with no bidders.

Edit: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to 1072-1074 Manchester Road as the former George and Dragon Inn (1022 Manchester Road)