400 homes on former brownfield sites in Castleton

Two former brownfield sites in Castleton are being transformed into new housing developments with a combined 400 homes.

Hive Homes has launched its latest development, the 102-home Weavers Fold at the former Carcraft site on Nixon Street whilst Countryside will be delivering 198 homes – 102 of which will be classed as affordable – at Calico Grove, the former Dunlop site on Royle Road.

‘Affordable housing’ is defined as where properties being offered at below-market value, either for sale or rent (at no more than 80% of the local market rent).

Calico Grove was once home to the world’s largest cotton mill, but this was largely demolished by 1979. It is now being turned into a community of 198 homes, 102 of which will be affordable and managed by Great Places, while the remaining 96 will be available on the open market.

168 of the homes will be three- and four- bedroom family homes, the remaining 30 being two- bedroom affordable properties. Additionally, there will also be a block of 24 apartments built on site.

As part of the development, Countryside is also investing over £500,000 into local primary education.

Hive’s Weavers Fold scheme turns the eight-acre former Carcraft site, which had laid dormant for eight years, into a neighbourhood with 85 three-bedroom and 17 four-bedroom homes, a mix of semi-detached and detached properties, as well as a large, public open space.

There is also a 5.6-acre parcel of land towards the southern end of the development which Rochdale Borough Council is able to utilise for the creation of a new school, should it be required in the future.

 

 

Councillor Peter Williams, the council’s assistant cabinet member for regeneration and housing, recently visited both sites.

He was joined at Weavers Fold by Ed Milner, Hive Homes’ managing director and others to cut the ribbon to officially open the development for sales.

Of Weaver’s Fold, Councillor Williams said: “We’ve been working with Homes England and Hive Homes to support the redevelopment of this former brownfield site and I’m delighted to see these high-quality homes coming forward. It was an honour to look around some of the homes on site and see how smart they look. I can see them getting snapped up very quickly.”

Mr Milner said: “We are delighted to be able to officially launch the Weavers Fold development as it marks the next chapter in Hive Homes’ story and brings much-needed affordable housing to Rochdale.

“The Castleton area is steeped in the industrial history and the cotton industry, which was explored by an archaeological dig, and is reflected in the name.

“We are building fantastic communities across Greater Manchester and we are very proud to bring Weavers Fold to market and we are sure it will prove very popular with customers.”

Over at Calico Grove, Councillor Williams was joined by Mark Robinson, Rochdale Borough Council’s director of economy, Countryside and Great Places for a tour of the recently opened show homes, and also had the opportunity to meet with some residents who had recently moved into a Great Places affordable rented property.

Addressing Calico Grove, Councillor Williams said: “It’s great to see this brownfield site, which has been vacant for many years, being redeveloped into high quality new homes. This project is not only creating much-needed housing, 50 per cent of which will be affordable, but it will change the face of the whole area.

“We’ve worked with partners over a period of time to support the delivery of this project and secured a £1.65m grant from the GMCA’s brownfield land fund to help redevelop the area.”

Councillor Williams added: “The creation of high-quality new homes on former brownfield sites, close to key transport hubs, is also part of our wider rail corridor strategy which is supporting the ongoing regeneration of areas like Castleton.”

Joe Turner, managing director, Manchester and Cheshire East, Countryside Partnerships, said: “It was great to welcome Rochdale Borough Council to the site as their support has been vital in our aim to transform a vacant historic site into a community that that the borough can be proud of.

“The collaboration with Great Places at Calico Grove is an important one, with the vast majority of the affordable homes being much needed three and four-bedroom family homes. Together we are delivering the homes that people need in the areas that need them most.”

Helen Spencer, executive director of growth at Great Places, commented: “We’re proud to be part of this historic site’s transformation into a vibrant community that offers a much-needed range of affordable homes for Rochdale residents.

“We’re delighted with the feedback from our customers who have moved into their new homes at Calico Grove and look forward to continuing our work with Countryside Partnerships and Rochdale Council to deliver more homes that meet their needs and aspirations of the local community.”