Council signs off 445 new build estate despite safety fears and legal warning

Friday, 27 June 2025 14:25

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

CGI of Castleton development for 445 homes at Cowm Top

A massive new housing estate in Rochdale has been given the final sign off.

The scheme that would see 445 homes, a linear park, open green space and playgrounds built in Castleton was granted planning permission in February. But now legal agreements between developers, GLP Trows LLP and BDW Trading Ltd, and Rochdale Council have officially been signed off.

The mix of terraced, detached and semi-detached properties, ranging from two-bed properties to four and five-bed ‘executive’ homes will be built off Cowm Top Lane.

The site lies to the south of Cowm Top Business Park, close to the M62. The proposal was marred with controversy, with locals sharing concerns over the impact extra cars could have on already congested roads.

Health and safety concerns over access to the housing estate led delays on a decision. The planning committee eventually decided to grant permission on February 27.

Having heard a highways report which concluded that the only viable option for the access was the one already proposed.

Councillors were told that Cowm Top Lane will be added to the council’s winter service programme for gritting, and that high friction surfacing would be required to ‘address the steep gradient into the site’.

Simon Artiss from Barratt Homes, one of the developers, assured the committee the access road exceeds the standards required and that only one accident has occurred on the road in the last 10 years.

The 50-acre site has long formed part of a proposed Greater Manchester-wide development masterplan – known as Places for Everyone (PfE).

This approved plan has already allocated the Cowm Top Lane site for housing, which ended up leaving the councillor’s hands tied when it came to making their decision.

At the meeting back in February, Coun Janet Emsley concluded: “We haven’t got a leg to stand on legally basically. If we refuse it we will be hit by a legal fee and it will go ahead anyway.”