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Cash boost prompts home repairs call

22/ 3/2008

MILKSTONE and Deeplish residents in Rochdale have made their feelings clear about how they would like to see the area improved at the first meeting called specifically to discuss regeneration.

The meeting was held as the government announced it plans to plough an extra £90M into the Oldham Rochdale HMR Pathfinder scheme over the next three years, with an estimated £2.5M designated for Milkstone and Deeplish.

Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), which set up the meeting in response to numerous requests from residents at an area forum last October, sought residents’ views on five topics, including design, environment, and housing.

Despite initial reservations from many residents – who had hoped the meeting would focus solely on the issue of how much of the HMR money would be spent on repairing existing homes – those who attended the meeting at Deeplish Community Centre spent more than an hour discussing their concerns with RDA officers.

One resident said: "The shops which have been given a facelift on Tweedale Street look great, but what about what’s going on below the surface?

"This area could be lovely. Instead of spending money on new houses, why not improve the existing ones?

"Everything would be fine as long as our houses are.

"They could look great."

Area Forum chairman Sohail Ahmed, who worked with RDA and residents to set up the meeting, said: "Residents were against the idea of building new houses as there is no space in Milkstone and Deeplish.

"Their favourite option was suggested that any money should be spent on refurbishing old homes within this ward.

"The meeting was bilingual, and it was very positive.

"It had a good impact in that all residents were concerned about one issue."

Philip Joyce, RDA’s director for regeneration assured residents there would be regular consultation about any future proposals.