HMR Pathfinder recognised for good practice in national report
28th November 2006
The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder has been praised in a performance report by the Government’s Audit Commission, based mainly on its work in East Central Rochdale.
The Pathfinder has already invested more than £20 million in parts of Rochdale including Bellshill, Cloverhall, Hamer, Mayfield, Town Head and Wardleworth, collectively known as East Central Rochdale. A further £24 million will be spent over the next two years.
It aims to improve the choice of housing for sale and rent, create safer communities and ultimately raise the prosperity of areas that have suffered from lower house prices and a lack of investment.
The Audit Commission, which scrutinises the nine national HMR Pathfinders, reports that “local people see that the area has changed for the better, with clearly visible improvements to the external environment through block repair programmes and landscaping work.”
It also recognises the Pathfinder for having “an effective package of support for people,” which includes the launch of the Home Plus Plan, a scheme where Rochdale residents affected by clearance can access up to £25,000 to buy a new home, with no monthly or annual payments.
The report acknowledges that local people have played a leading role in the regeneration of their areas and that “community representation has matured over a number of years and local people clearly have a say in how the programme is designed and delivered.”
The Pathfinder’s work programme is also based on comprehensive housing market research and analysis, which the Audit Commission praised.
Councillor Zulfikar Ali, Lead Member for Housing and local Ward Councillor said, “I am really please but not surprised by the Audit Commission report. I have worked hard with the communities in East Central Rochdale to ensure their voices are heard. This report recognises the tremendous amount of work that both the communities, elected members and staff have put into making Housing Market Renewal work for the benefit of local people and I look forward to seeing our investment really begin to work with the building of new housing soon.”
Alastair Graham, Director of the Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder, welcomed the findings. He said: “It recognises the excellent work being carried out in East Central Rochdale and rightly acknowledges that proposals are founded on sound community consultation.
“After two years of consultation and planning we are going to see building work start on some exciting new housing developments in Rochdale in 2007 including a large development at the Dale Mill site and another in Wardleworth. This will be a major step forward in our goal of creating a better mix of housing with improved green spaces for residents and future generations.”
The pioneering plans for the Dale Mill site include a mix of around 80 homes, which will utilise solar panels providing central heating and hot water. The housing will also be designed around pedestrian friendly streets which will give people priority over cars.
The Wardleworth development will see around 50 new homes built around a site at Trafalgar Street. The plans include new three and four bedroom houses and two bedroom apartments.
The Pathfinder is working closely with a range of partners including developers, Rochdale Council, Rochdale Development Agency and housing associations to ensure that new homes meet the needs of Rochdale’s communities.
Image: Rochdale resident Abubakkar Ahmed looking at designs for the Trafalgar Street site.