Rochdale's new housing development could pave the way for East Lancashire Railway extension

George Lythgoe
·2-min read
How the new Kellen Homes housing development could look in Castleton, Rochdale.
-Credit: (Image: Kellen Homes)


A large new housing project that could pave the way for a railway extension is expected to receive approval this week.

Kellen Homes' proposal involves the construction of 191 'high quality' homes on a 27-acre site off Heywood Road in Rochdale, just 650m from Castleton Station. The development will offer a variety of two, three and four-bedroom homes, each equipped with two parking spaces and an electric car charging point.

The plan earmarks 15 per cent of the homes for affordable housing, priced at up to 80 per cent of market value. The site, formerly occupied by Baggs Yard Railing Sidings, forms part of the Places for Everyone (PfE) plan, which aims to bring thousands of new homes and jobs to Greater Manchester by 2039.

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According to the PfE agreement, if the planning committee approves the development on June 20, it would unlock land to the east for the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) extension. The heritage line currently spans just over 12 miles and boasts seven stations celebrating the area's rich railway history dating back to the 1840s.

Currently, the site consists of a disused railway siding associated with Castleton North, East and South Junction, surrounded by woodland and bordering Castleton Hawk Golf Club, reports the Manchester Evening News.

The developers have proposed to preserve the site's history by maintaining sections of the old railway line and planting trees, shrubs, grassland and wildflowers in the spaces between. They also plan to introduce new footpaths and cycleways through public open spaces, following the routes of the former railway lines.

In addition, the developers have suggested a range of street furniture, lighting, seating, and cycle stands with a railway theme. They also propose creating an accessible open space on the land west of the site, featuring wildflower meadows and tree planting, which would be preserved as green belt land.

However, Rochdale Council has received 289 individual letters objecting to the application, including a petition with 135 signatures and 14 letters of support. Concerns raised include loss of green space, overpopulation, traffic congestion, parking issues and potential devaluation of local homes.

These issues will be considered by the planning committee when they meet at Number One Riverside on Thursday to decide on the application. Planning officers have recommended approval of Kellen Homes' plan.

The only other issue set to be discussed by the planning committee is a request for a tree preservation order to protect an oak tree on Apple Tree Way.

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