 |
| Size: |
66 hectares |
| Location: |
Rochdale |
| Local partnership: |
Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, The Pennine Edge Forest |
| Economic benefit: |
Belfield is within a HMR area, and is on the proposed route for the extended Metrolink (although this plan is currently on hold). Belfield will dramatically improve the image of central Rochdale to attract further investment, with possible spin-offs for the Kingsway Business Park. |
| Site background: |
The Belfield site (from the Bellfield Estate to Rochdale town centre) has had a varied past, from mining to a bleach works and chemical plant and more recently a waste disposal site. Following the River Roch, Newlands will create new community woodlands and then link them with a network of paths. Newlands will also enhance biodiversity on the site – improving river quality to attract fish and bird life and establish healthy and diverse habitats for wildlife. |
The stage two brief for Belfield will go to the consultants when the land area for Belfield has been finalised. Landowners have been contacted to move tenure arrangements forward.
A community consultation exercise and design planning process has been completed by Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale coordinated by The Forestry Commission, and BTCV are also taking an active role in delivering community aspects of this Newlands scheme (working in partnership with Groundwork).
Around £82,000 of match funding from Europe (via Groundwork and PEF) has been secured. Further work is also planned, to integrate Newlands into existing strategic initiatives in the area e.g. with the Rochdale Development Agency. |
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