Transformational town regeneration one step closer

Thursday, 31 July 2025 16:17

By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for new homes and businesses; improved roads; and a Metrolink stop in Middleton are a step closer.

The huge revamp will be part of the Middleton ‘mayoral development corporation’ (MDC) – a public body collaboration between Rochdale and Bury councils in conjunction with Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

The plan would see the creation of a manufacturing hub within the Atom Valley Northern Gateway; bringing Metrolink to the town; 1,200,000 square metres of employment floorspace; 3,000 new homes; and better public areas, roads and pathways.

This has been hailed as a once in a generation opportunity for the town.

After approving the scheme at the latest meeting of town hall bosses, Rochdale’s council leader Neil Emmott said: “It’s going to be one of the major investments we have seen in our part of the world for many, many a year. It’s going to address employment and training issues across the borough.”

Coun Shah Wazir added that this could provide opportunities to the highly skilled young people in Rochdale and Middleton to stay closer to their families. The highways boss explained that many advanced jobs in technology and manufacturing sit outside of the borough, meaning highly trained and specialist people leave the area for work – negatively impacting the local economy.

It was announced earlier this month that actor and comedian Steve Coogan, who hails from Alkrington, will join forces with Co-operatives chief executive Rose Marley to help drive the project forward.

Mr Coogan – whose grandparents lived on the Langley estate – explained that his years of gigging across the UK taught him that Middleton people ‘have got a sense of themselves’.

Key to the rejuvenation will be consultation with those residents.