Oldham and Rochdale

Pathfinder: Oldham Rochdale

Introduction

The Oldham and Rochdale pathfinder is located in the north-east of the Greater Manchester conurbation. The pathfinder aims to tackle:

the mismatch of supply and demand with few large properties available and a lack of social rented housing in many neighbourhoods
the low demand and high turnover within a number of social rented estates
the outward migration of economically active households.

Map showing the Oldham and Rochdale pathfinder area.

Map showing the Oldham and Rochdale pathfinder area

Case study

Selwyn Close, Coppice

Residents have moved into large new eco-homes - the first of their kind in Oldham and the first housing market renewal funded properties to be completed in the borough.

Redundant flats on Selwyn Close in Coppice were demolished to make way for 18 new four, five and seven bedroom environmentally-friendly properties, which have been designed to harness solar and wind energy.

The £3 million project, short listed for a Building for Life national award, has been developed by Manchester Methodist Housing Association - (part of the Great Places Housing Group), and received over £800,000 from the Housing Corporation and a £280,000 contribution from the pathfinder.

Environmentally-friendly homes

Market renewal funding was used to reduce the scheme's impact on the environment, to pilot the use of renewable energy and to raise the design quality of the overall scheme.

The housing development has achieved an Eco-Homes top rating of 'excellent' in recognition that it has maximised environmental sustainability by using materials from 'green' sources, as well as reducing living and maintenance costs through energy efficiency.

Carports have been incorporated into the scheme to take car parking off the street. These also contain recycling and cycle storage facilities, which also enhance the scheme's environmental credentials.

Ten of the homes will have wind turbines installed on their rooftops to generate renewable energy and the effects of these, coupled with the solar power, will be measured and monitored over the next year. It is expected that residents' energy bills will be reduced by over a third.

Happy residents

Mrs Rejia Bibi, a full time mum, her husband and five children have moved from a three bedroom house in Werneth, Oldham to one of the new build 5 bedroom houses at Selwyn Close.

"It's great having so much more room for the children. I was amazed by it when I saw the completed house. I expected the rooms upstairs to be quite small but they are great sized bedrooms and it is beautifully done."

Rejia Bibi, full-time mum and happy resident of a new 5 bedroom house in Selwyn Close.