Briefing Note.

Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partnership Regeneration Activity

Date: 16 July 2012

Author: Nick Andrews

1 Purpose 1.1 To provide members of the District Partnership with brief details of the current range of regeneration activity taking place across the 3 constituent wards.

2 Regeneration Activity

District Wide

2.1 Metrolink – Stop / Hollinwood Stop Metrolink through Failsworth and Hollinwood was officially opened on 13 June 2012. Journeys from Mumps to City Centre take around 25 minutes and the services run every 12 minutes. Proposals for improving the immediate environs and signposting to and from the main destinations have been developed and funding is being sought.

Failsworth East

2.2 Hollinwood Junction Langtree appointed as our development partner. They have appointed planning consultants, commercial agents, branding and marketing team with a view to launching the opportunity in the autumn. Work underway to submit outline planning application this summer for site on Albert Street. This is linked to the opportunity for funding through the AGMA Pipeline Projects for the removal of the gas holder. Hollinwood Partnership has been established with the Council, Langtree, Frank Rothwell (Manchester Cabins) and Noel Dean (Deanhouse) and proposals to be brought forward to develop Hollinwood Business Park. An outline planning application to develop Hollinwood Business Park has been approved subject to a legal agreement, but not yet signed. The land exchange between the Council and Transport for that enables development of larger Park and Ride facility for Hollinwood Metrolink Stop has been completed and works have commenced. Negotiations underway with the Electric Car Company to develop a showroom and rapid charge facility at the former Roxy Cinema site. 2.3 Kaskenmoor School Former Kaskenmoor School site becomes vacant in September 2012 and work has commenced on the preparation of Planning and Development Brief for the site. NewBridge School is now pursuing Academy Status and discussions are taking place regarding the future land requirements for the school and how these are to be factored into the Planning and Development Brief. Discussions have also commenced with Loxton’s the Ball Hall Page 2 Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partnership Date 16 July 2012. Regeneration Activity

operators to establish their long term aspirations for the site. Following the amendment of the Academies Act 2010 the authority is now required to obtain the Secretary of States consent to undertake any works and disposal of any school site that has been used for educational purposes within the last 8 years. The Council has submitted its case that consent has already been granted through the approval of Oldham’s BSF Outline Business Case and final business Case. We are currently awaiting a response. A report is being presented to Cabinet on the 23 rd July seeking approval to commence the process of demolition, subject to receiving a positive response from the Secretary of State. 2.4 Hollinwood Canal Society seeking to undertake some limited repairs to the bridge abutments at bridge no 154 at Pinch Farm. Funding of £300 is being sought. 2.5 Warwick Road The open space off Warwick Road has now been formally dedicated to become one of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields to celebrate the Queens diamond Jubilee last month. To coincide with the dedication of the site a community led event was held over the Jubilee weekend on the 3rd & 4th June and was officially opened by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Jim McMahon 2.6 Failsworth Cemetery Funding for the scheme has been approved via the District Investment Fund and works have commenced 2.7 Country Park Forestry Commission and S106 funded improvements to picnic area and footpaths in progress.

Failsworth West

2.8 Lancaster Club, Broadway Cabinet at its meeting on the 13 th March approved progression of a Residential led mixed use regeneration scheme be brought forward for site. An initial public consultation event took place at the Lancaster Club on Thursday 22 nd March. The Outline Planning application for a residential led mixed use scheme was granted approval at Planning Committee on the 20 June 2012. A reserved matters application for the allotment gardens is to be submitted in August 2012. 2.9 Failsworth District Centre Environmental improvement scheme to be undertaken to complement works to Failsworth Town Hall, and the new developments, Quayside and Aldi supermarket. The works now agreed with United Utilities. Disabled parking issues around the town hall have been resolved following negotiations with Electricity NW and now discussions over the detail of environment improvements around the sub-station and canal frontage are progressing. A landscape brief has been drafted for going out to tender to make the much needed

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improvements along the canal and side of the town hall.

Funding to undertake traffic modelling work and redesign of the traffic and pedestrian movement through the district centre has been secured and will be progressed over the summer to be presented to Members. The aim is to improve both the safety and movement of pedestrians and vehicles through the District Centre and to unlock some of the potential of the area for further development.

New KFC restaurant completed and opened on Sunday 10 th June 2012. 2.10 Indo Africa Mill, Failsworth Planning permission granted for redevelopment of site for residential use. 2.11 Rochdale Canal. The Catalyst project held a very successful Illuminate arts event along the Rochdale Canal in April with over 2,000 people turning out. The next event is the Rochdale Canal Festival is to be held again in Failsworth over the week of 18th August-25th August with various arts, boating, cycling, angling and canoeing activities being held around the Failsworth Basin and Grassroots site.

Work to complete the section of towpath alongside the Rochdale Canal from Wrigley Head to had been temporarily stopped for unexpected repairs to the canal washwall which collapsed around Wrigley Head Bridge. Work is due for completion by mid August in time for the Rochdale Canal festival.

2.12 Former Phoenix Mill Site. Planning permission has been granted on appeal by the Secretary of State. for use of the site for a mixed use residential and office development. 2.13 Moston Brook Landscaping works following completion of the major sewer scheme has now been completed benefitting the Moston Brook corridor. Moston Brook fun day with various family acitvities is to be held on Saturday 4th August, 12.00 to 4.00pm, Lancaster Sports & Social Club, Broadway, Chadderton supported by the newly formed Friends of Moston Brook. The Environment Agency has agreed as part of a national pilot to invest £50,000 this year into improving the water quality and environment of Moston Brook, some of which is also to be used to match fund a future landfill tax funding bid for further improvements.

Hollinwood

2.13 Limehurst Estate Regenda leading the preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan for the estate. 2.14 Oasis Academy The new Oasis Academy was handed over to the Academy on the 18 th June 2012. 2.15 Cardigan Road / Incline Green

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Refurbishment and upgrading of the existing open space at Incline Green has been completed using S106 monies. The draft scheme to upgrade and improve the play offer at the existing open space at Cardigan Road Green has been subject to consultation and the works have now been tendered with a scheduled completion date for the end of August. 2.16 Merton Avenue Working in partnership through the One Future Group and with Hulme Grammar School to bring forward proposals to improve the existing recreational facilities and create an Olympic Legacy for the Borough. 2.17 The Pavilion, Green Lane, Garden Suburbs Garden Suburbs Association seeking to upgrade the heating to the Pavilion. 2.18 Park. Big Lottery Funded scheme to develop the Play Area at Limeside Park 2.19 Playing Fields at Higher Lime Road The scheme at the Lancaster Club includes for relocation of the playing fields to the site at Higher Lime Road. The scheme is subject to further consultation and approval by Sport . 3 Land Disposal Programme 3.1 The following Council owned sites within the District Partnership area are currently being actively marketed: Former Limeside Library, Elm Road; Disposal for convenience store. Planning application submitted by bidder for Change of Use.. Partington Street, Failsworth. Several expressions of interest following BSF Soft Marketing exercise undertaken in November 2011. Subject to Secreatry of States approval site to be marketed. Clive Street – Sale to Hope Citadel completed. Railway Road, Hollinwood. Disposal part of land swap to create Park and Ride facility. Currently in legals. 33 Main Street, Failsworth. Building Agreement with GSH Improvements for refurbishment prior to completion of sale.

21 Dean Street, Failsworth. Building Agreement with GSH Improvements for refurbishment prior to completion of sale.

Site of former Greengate PH, Acacia Avenue, Hollinwood. Planning permission granted for <> on <>. Disposal to Regenda Housing Association to be completed.

Land at Cardiff Close, Hollinwood. Proposed disposal for residential use.

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4 Community Asset Transfers 4.1 None currently being pursued

5 Recommendation 5.1 Members are asked to note the report.

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