Rochdale housing scheme brings millions to local firms before completion

Named John Rennie Place in honour of the Scottish civil engineer who designed the Rochdale Canal, the scheme will provide 81 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes built to net zero standards. The project is being led by the Rochdale Development Agency on behalf of Rochdale Borough Council and has secured £15 million in backing from the government's community regeneration partnerships fund.

Local Supply Chain and Employment

Main contractor Willmott Dixon has already directed £3.3 million to Hovington Ltd, a civil engineering firm based less than a mile away, to handle all groundworks. Finalising contracts with two additional Rochdale businesses will push the total local spend to £5 million.

The project has also generated employment and training avenues for the borough. Seven local residents are currently working on the site, including two individuals who received support from the council's work and skills team after periods of unemployment. Tommy Patterson, a 22-year-old from Middleton, secured a scaffolding apprenticeship on site after spending six months out of work.

Education and Community Support

Beyond construction roles, the site has facilitated 95 weeks of apprenticeship and T-Level training. Students from Hopwood Hall College, such as 17-year-old quantity surveying student Daniel Fletcher, have completed on-site placements to gain practical industry experience.

Collaboration with local schools includes working with Year 10 students at Newhouse Academy in Heywood to help them achieve the Baker Award, alongside delivering careers sessions for the school's Young Leaders Programme. Willmott Dixon has also operated a bespoke 'Building Lives Academy' skills programme targeting individuals not in education, employment or training.

Contractors have engaged with regional charities, donating £1,800 to Springhill Hospice and delivering hot meals across the borough on behalf of HMR Circle.

Councillor Danny Meredith, cabinet member for housing and regeneration at Rochdale Borough Council, stated that embedding social value into the procurement system ensures residents directly benefit from the ongoing economic transformation. Mike Lane, Director of Operations at Willmott Dixon, added that the team remains committed to leaving a lasting legacy beyond the completion of the homes.

Meanwhile, work is progressing on a separate scheme to build 142 apartments adjacent to the new housing site, with the procurement process for a delivery partner expected to launch shortly.