Former Balderstone Technology College - Land Disposal Consultation

Overview

Residents’ views sought over future of school site

Members of the public are being invited to comment on plans to redevelop part of the former Balderstone Technology College site in Queen Victoria Street, Rochdale.

It will be vacant from August 2013 when Kingsway Park High School, which currently occupies the land, relocates to Turf Hill Road.

As the current school site will then no longer be needed for educational purposes, Rochdale Borough Council is planning to dispose of part of it for redevelopment but needs the Government’s permission to do this.

Between 2005 and 2011 local residents worked closely with the council to agree objectives for a masterplan for the future redevelopment of the Balderstone & Kirkholt neighbourhood.

These objectives formed the basis for the Vision for Kirkholt Masterplans - Ideas for Change (2007) and Key Sites (2011).

The council carried out extensive public consultations during master planning which showed strong support among residents for the following future uses:

• Building new homes for the neighbourhood
• Improvement of recreational green spaces, including playing fields
• Retention, wherever possible, of existing sports facilities (including the sports wing building attached to the school).

The council now intends to consider the options for redevelopment of the school site in line with these objectives.

As part of this process it wants to hear the views of residents on its plans to dispose of the land as an educational site.

Sandra Bowness, Service Director, Support for Learning at Rochdale Borough Council, said:

“We are very keen to hear the views of the public on the proposal to dispose of the land as an educational site and I would encourage people to get in touch with us with their comments.”

“The potential of freeing up this site offers a great opportunity for future development that could benefit the whole community.

To view a plan of the proposed site or to find out more just click on the related documents below.