Kirkholt

Our exciting long-term vision to transform the Kirkholt estate in Rochdale continues to develop.
Ideas for Change - drawn up in partnership with a steering group made up of residents and community groups - includes providing hundreds of new, modern homes, delivering safer, cleaner neighbourhoods and parks and developing better community facilities.

Much of the estate was built in the late 1940s and whilst there are some popular areas, local people have said that they would like to see action to tackle some of the less popular parts of Kirkholt.

This long-term vision will help the area to become a place where people are proud to live, offering a mix of modern housing for sale and rent and much improved facilities. We are working with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Rochdale Council to transform Kirkholt.

Part of this 'Vision for Kirkholt' will see better modern shopping facilities developed around the existing Strand shopping area.

Following heritage surveys, which looked at the important historic buildings in all our neighbourhoods, we created a heritage trail around Kirkholt and Balderstone. You can download a copy of the trail leaflet.

Consulting widely
In 2006, Kirkholt residents received special information packs showing the ideas for the area. At a series of meetings, residents were able to give their views and ask questions about proposals to revitalise the area. In June 2007 we sent the results of the consultation to every house in the area, showing changes to the proposals as a result of residents' views. Delivering the ideas will depend on support from the community and they will be involved in securing a development partner to work with us to build new homes and transform Kirkholt.

The Vision for Kirkholt team have worked with the Friends of Balderstone Park on regular community events in the park to celebrate the life of the community, and keep people informed about progress with the transformation. Last summer saw more than 500 people enjoy the funday, with activities including donkey rides from real Blackpool beach donkeys.

Finding a new home
Ahead of redevelopment we have helped some residents to move house, often to homes available elsewhere on the estate. Lee and Michelle Wild moved a short distance but it made a big difference.
Michelle says, "Once we had decided where we wanted to move to, everything was organised for us." Both Lee and Michelle were very impressed by the service they received. And the move itself went very smoothly. Lee added, "In the long term I think the changes will be good for the estate. We're very pleased with the house. This end of the estate is very popular."

Starting to clear
Demolition is underway on Kirkholt. We have cleared three blocks of flats at Queens Drive, together with two blocks on Balderstone Road and Daventry Road. We aim to build new homes for sale and rent before much of the demolition takes place, so open and empty spaces and soon-to-be vacated sites have been identified to allow this to happen.

For more information about the plans for Kirkholt, contact the Vision for Kirkholt team at 46 The Strand, Kirkholt, Rochdale, OL11 2JG tel: 01706 655329.