Having voted to formally accept £879,400 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the council is ready to progress with its plans to tackle anti-social behaviour through landscape design.
The grade two-listed Broadfield Park Slopes sits between the Town Hall, Church Steps, and the Church of St Chad in Rochdale. Restoration work has been ongoing since 2021 on the slopes, which the council wants to turn into a safe community space.
To do this, Rochdale Council wants to create formalised paths across the space, improve visibility, add lighting, CCTV, water features, and conduct conservation work to the grade two-listed Parker Spout fountain.
The goal is for this work would help decrease anti-social behaviour on the slope and improve accessibility.
Planning permission for the project was granted last week.
The total cost for the scheme, which was designed by Donald Insall Architects and landscape architect Gillespies, is £1.7m, with the council funding the gap through its capital programme.
Outside the National Lottery Heritage Fund project, the council is also looking to replant along the western part of the site and conduct ground stabilisation works on the southern end.
With funding in place, project manager Rochdale Development Agency is hoping to start the procurement process for a landscape contractor in August, with a goal of being on site in March 2025. If all goes to plan, the work on the slopes would be finished in September of that same year.
Mark Robinson, director of economy and place at Rochdale Council, said: “I’m delighted that this important part of Rochdale town centre’s heritage will be brought back to its former glory with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“Situated in the heart of the town centre conservation area, the redeveloped slopes will form a stunning backdrop to the recently restored Rochdale Town Hall as part of a unique visitor offer, centred on our incredible heritage.”
In addition to Donald Insall and Gillespies, the project team includes engagement consultant Minerva Consulting, civil and structural engineer Price & Myers, MEP and lighting consultant Max Fordham, and cost manager Frank Whittle and Partners.
You can learn more about the project by searching application reference number 23/01393/FUL on Rochdale Council’s planning portal.