Local people unite to give views on regeneration

2nd November 2006

East Central Rochdale Community Residents; Eileen Miller, Mel Jones, Susan Kapler and Parvin Khatun

Residents from six different areas of Rochdale have joined forces to share their views on how their communities are improved.

The newly formed East Central Rochdale Community Group is urging other people from Bellshill, Cloverhall, Hamer, Mayfield, Wardleworth and Townhead to get involved.

The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal (HMR) Pathfinder is investing more than £5.5 million this year in the six areas that make up East Central Rochdale. It wants to make sure that local people collectively have a voice about plans to transform the area with new, modern homes and more pleasant local surroundings.

Representatives from four of these neighbourhoods gave presentations on what it is like to live in their areas at a meeting this week. (see vox pops below)

Angela Forster, HMR Neighbourhood Programme Manager, said: “We are keen to encourage people to get together and share their experiences. The residents who stood up and told us about their neighbourhoods were really passionate; it helped bring to life the issues that are important. She added: “Better housing is vital to Rochdale’s future. Research shows that without a mix of housing in the right locations, people will leave the borough in search of more suitable properties elsewhere. We want to ensure there’s a greater choice of housing to transform communities into places where people want to live, not leave.”

The HMR Pathfinder is currently involved in a pioneering housing development that will be built next year at the Dale and Arkwright Mill sites by the River Roch. The new environmentally friendly homes and apartments will re-energise the area and will be set within landscaped grounds including play spaces with views of the river and the Pennine Hills. Housing Market Renewal is also bringing to life plans for new homes to be built at Trafalgar Street in Wardleworth.

The new cross-community meetings will take place every six weeks at alternating locations and free transport is provided. The next is at 6pm on Monday 29 January at Wardleworth Community Centre. To find out more or book free transport contact Kate Arnold on 01706 745121.

Local people give their views:

Syed Mashuk Miah, 49, spoke about the Wardleworth area. The day care officer said: “Overcrowding is one of the issues that needs to be tackled because it has a bad effect on children’s education and health. We need to make sure that new homes are being built are not just for sale, but also for rent and shared ownership.  I think it is a positive step bringing people together to share their thoughts on how the areas should be improved.”

Mel Jones
Mel Jones, 63, a retired ambulance driver who spoke about living in Hamer said: “I really enjoyed the meeting because it was so interesting to hear different points of view from people living in other areas. This kind of meeting helps to break barriers and gives us all a chance to speak about the improvements we want to see not just in our neighbourhoods but in Rochdale as a whole. I think new housing is a big issue and also making sure there are job opportunities and help available for smaller businesses.”

Eileen Miller
Eileen Miller, a retired housing officer and grandmother of 10, has been involved in Cloverhall’s Tenant Management Organisation for a number of years. She said: “I think it’s brilliant to be able to share experiences with people from other areas and learn about what is happening in other Rochdale communities. There needs to be more facilities for younger people; that’s a big problem. We saw new plans at the meeting for play areas which were excellent. I’d really encourage people of all ages to come and along and help make a difference.”

Parvin Khatun
Parvin Khatun, 33, a mum of three who has lived in Mayfield for ten years said: “It was fascinating to hear the similarities of problems experienced in other neighbourhoods. I think more needs to be done to tackle litter. We had a successful litter pick-up in September, but we need the whole community to take more responsibility.  I think Mayfield is a good area to bring up children and I hope more families come along to future meetings.”

Photo above: Eileen Miller, Mel Jones, Susan Kapler and Parvin Khatun