Urbanism
Environment
Design

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In May 2005 the Barrat Artisan Consortium successfully bid with a team which included URBED, OMI and Landscape Projects.  King Sturge where the consultants chosen to deal with planning issues and Transportation Planning Partnership where commissioned to deal with Transport Planning. This team knows Oldham and Rochdale well and has a very distinctive approach to masterplanning. East Central Rochdale is one of the four first phase neighbourhoods being promoted by the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder. The Rochdale Development Agency commissioned a masterplan as part of the original prospectus by Shillam & Smith Architects. Last year the Pathfinder went through a process to appoint development partners.

As a result of this Barratts in partnership with Artisan (since set up as a JV company called BASE) were appointed as sole developers for the East Central Rochdale neighbourhood. The masterplanning team have taken a holistic approach to regeneration looking at East Central Rochdale as a part of the wider conurbation.

Analysis of the ECR area showed the lack of connectivity between ECR and Rochdale Town Centre as well as other parts of Rochdale. Many of the sites traditionally used for manufacturing have become redundant or are inappropriately re-used. The traditional terraces are not large enough for many of the families now settled in the area.

Our aim was to improve connections by looking at movement patterns, improve the public realm and encourage mixed retail uses that will benefit from increased foot flow. Work on the conversion of Unique Mill into an Enterprise Centre will bring ECR a step towards providing high quality business start-up units and office space but much more provision is needed. 

URBED worked with the community to create a place of distinctive character, which will provide new and improved housing and amenities as well as employment and business opportunities.