Following a recent cabinet meeting, Rochdale Council hopes to collaborate with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and city region mayor Andy Burnham to help rejuvenate Middleton by launching a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) in the town.
Council bosses had previously designed a masterplan for Middleton back in 2022, which aimed to create thousands of new homes and a new Metrolink tram line off the Bury line. A regeneration of Middleton’s high streets was also included in the 2022 vision to help address “building vacancy and a scruffy appearance in areas”, however Rochdale Council has struggled to unlock the land to deliver it.
Due to development constraints, market failure and viability issues this area of Rochdale has failed to see much regeneration.
Middleton is positioned in one of Greater Manchester’s designated Growth Locations and the council believe the area would benefit from planned strategic growth in the region, including Atom Valley and the Northern Gateway strategic employment site. The Atom Valley scheme mentions that it is expected to generate more than 20,000 jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost to Rochdale and Bury.
This all-new high street regeneration will bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
The next steps will see an MDC report delivered to GMCA in May 2025 and £600,000 spent to kickstart the plan.
Cllr Neil Emmott, leader of the council and West Middleton ward representative, said: “The mayor has a greater access to money than we do. I think we can get more through a MDC. It has been years since the community cinema closed down but I would like to see a cinema in Middleton again. I also think it would be brilliant if they could bring Metrolink trams to our town centre.
“This could be a real game changer for Middleton. It will be getting the regeneration it has needed for many, many years.”
Coun Sue Smith, portfolio holder for communities and cooperation, described this ‘as a long time coming’. She believes this will tie in with the Atom Valley scheme, which is expected to generate more than 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1bn economic boost to Rochdale and Bury.
