A new masterplan reveals how Middleton town centre could be transformed into a ‘beautiful and exciting place’ that celebrates its own community, culture and heritage. It is the latest blueprint to be brought forward by Rochdale council, which is also developing similar strategies for town centres across the borough.
Despite its popular market, big name stores and unique arena, bosses say Middleton can be seen as ‘lacking the high-quality and multi-faceted experience that is demanded from a modern town centre’. Empty buildings, scruffy areas and an ‘unsympathetic’ road layout are all said to be holding the centre back and preventing the town from reaching its full potential.
But a new draft masterplan - which will soon go out to public consultation - sets out an optimistic vision for a better future. “Middleton town centre will be a beautiful and exciting place that celebrates the best of the town's heritage, geography and population,” it reads.
READ MORE : Care bosses insist £150K hub revamp will provide 'value for money services'
The document also envisages a ‘green’ environment, pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets and neglected buildings rejuvenated to create new homes, businesses and cultural venues. "As a result, Middleton will be celebrated as not just being in the middle but being a centre of activity which is characterful, accessible and ultimately liveable,” it adds.
The masterplan splits the town centre into six distinct zones. These are characterised by their location, environment and proposed uses, with the aim to ‘provide an enriched and diverse experience’ in the heart of Middleton.
Below are the six zones and the 'key interventions' proposed for each.
Middleton Central
Middleton Central is at the heart of the town centre, it provides the primary public spaces and shopping streets, taking in Middleton Gardens and the lower section of Long Street. It is the area of the highest pedestrian footfall and should be the hive of activity within the town offering a range of uses which bring life throughout the day.
Key interventions:
Middleton Gardens
The document says this ‘great space’ could be further enhanced through smaller interventions - including a new cycle path and covered areas for businesses - that will help to bring the space to life while maintaining the ‘formality’ that a town square requires.
Shop front improvements
Historic high street shop fronts could be enhanced by establishing a design code to guide their restoration.
Eastway development area
Bosses believe the sites between Eastway and Wood Street present a good opportunity for redevelopment - bringing modern commercial space and homes to the town centre . This approach to the town centre via Long Street could also be improved and as well as increasing attractiveness more generally.
The existing ALDI store in this location offers a potential development site following the opening of a new store within the town.
Jubilee Hill
This zone is characterised by its heritage and provides an important role in the town centre as a focus for history and architecture enthusiasts.
The ‘Golden Cluster’ provides an epicentre for the attractions in the area, with the well-preserved historic area 'providing a conduit to its discovery'.
Key interventions:
Long Street
The Long Street corridor provides an attractive and important approach to the town centre but is currently dominated by vehicles. Bosses want to redress the balance between cars and pedestrians/ cyclists, creating space and slowing vehicle speeds to provide a safer and more attractive environment.
Shopfront improvements
As with Middleton Central, historic shop fronts along Long Street and New Market Place could be enhanced by establishing a design code to guide their restoration.
East Side - The Cultural Quarter
The area between Assheton Way and Whit Brook is seen as the hidden gem in Middleton town centre.
The vision is to transform this once the ‘forgotten quarter’ into a hub of 'creative energy' - providing flexible working and living space, that will alow businesses, community and arts projects to germinate and grow.
Middleton Arena would remain the ‘cultural highlight’, acting as a draw to visitors who are then encouraged to explore the area further through reopened streets and new connections.
Key interventions:
Market Place and Townley Street
At the heart of the rejuvenation of East Side is the redesign of Market Place. The closure to through traffic from Long Street would deliver the opportunity to create a new public space and pedestrianised street, lined by enhanced commercial properties, food and beverage and residential properties at the heart of a new Cultural Quarter.
Changes could include removing through traffic between Old Hall Street and Townley Street , as well as new seating and ‘spill out space’ for cafés on the northern edge.
New Market Place
Closure of the Market Place junction would unlock the ‘significant potential for a new public square outside the Assheton Arms Hotel and a new development site to the south.
Moving the subway ramps onto the current Market Place route would create space for spill out cafe seating, potential regular markets and increased planting
The adjacent roundabout would also be upgraded to include increased cycle and pedestrian crossings.
Middleton Arena
The council has submitted a £10m Levelling Up Fund bid to enhance Middleton Arena - creating the opportunity to greatly improve the town's 'cultural offer'. This should be considered alongside improvements in the arena forecourt, providing an ‘attractive, pleasant and accessible’ arrival space to the venue.
River Irk waterside
While Middleton town centre has a riverside setting there are limited opportunities for people to experience and connect with the water. The green space at the junction of Townley Street and Spring Vale is an opportunity to create a waterside public space on the River Irk, which could become a focal point for the area.
Warwick Basin
The face of Middleton town centre for many, Warwick Basin aims to make a positive first impression and entice visitors to explore the town centre further. Upgrades to existing buildings alongside new developments will create a more navigable and welcoming environment.
Key interventions:
Warwick Mill
Warwick Mill is a visual and emotional anchor for the town which both orientates and provides a connection with Middleton's past. The redevelopment of the mill and adjacent London House could provide a create a residential quarter on the banks of Wince Brook.
The mill complex has the potential to also provide a new destination in the town centre, including independent cafes, bakeries and bars.
Oldham Road
By reducing carriageway widths and slowing vehicle speeds, space could be provided for pedestrians and cyclists. This would create a better quality environment and experience for those arriving in the town or passing through it.
Oldham Road Roundabouts
The masterplan proposes increased crossings on all arms of the roundabouts to aid cyclists and pedestrians. This is particularly important for north-south travel onto Long Street and into the bus station.
Park Road Development
The former post office and existing police station sites off Oldham Road provide significant opportunity for a major redevelopment, with the potential to deliver a mixture of commercial, retail and leisure in a prominent location.
Middleton Gateway
Middleton Gateway is the current and future gateway for public transport, performing a vital role in bringing people to and from the town centre.
Key interventions
Manchester Old Road Roundabout
Manchester Old Road Roundabout could be upgraded to significantly improve connections to the north of the town, as well as to the River Irk green corridor. Three crossings would be provided to enhance routes for pedestrians and cyclists, while cycle connections along Limetrees Road would also be improved.
Middleton Road
Currently a pinch point, improving the connection between Middleton Gardens and Manchester Old Road would be an important step to encouraging pedestrians and cyclists into the west of town centre.
This area has also been identifed as a potential location for a future Metrolink stop, creating an interchange with the bus station.
Middleton Shopping Centre
An imposing and recognisable structure in the town centre, bosses say it is vitally important it evolves to meet people's changing needs.
Opportunities include the use of the roof top car park for cultural events and the integration of green roofs and facades to improve the building's appearance
The redevelopment of Colmar House could also create a more welcoming and pleasant approach for people arriving from direction of Manchester Road or Middleton Way.
Limefield Park
Less busy than other areas of the centre, Limefield Park, provides an alternative experience of the town - but one that’s no less important.
It contains the town's main open space at Limefields Playing Fields - which plays host to festivals and sports teams as well as boasting play equipment and leisure facilities.
The area is also home to Middleton Memorial Gardens - an important place for reflection and gathering.
Key interventions:
Manchester Old Road
Manchester Old Road is a key route - bringing people into the town, while also providing a connection to Manchester city centre and the M60. Flanked by Alkrington Woods and Limefield Park, the route is visually appealing in parts.
However its attractiveness to pedestrians and cyclists could be enhanced by reducing the width of the road. This woud create more space for street trees creating a green corridor linking Limefield Park to Middleton Way and Middleton Gardens.
Limefield Park Pavilion
Currently underutilised the pavilion provides an opportunity to create a focal point and community hub to the west of the town centre.
Ideally suited to use as a community cafe, its refurbishment could draw more people to the area, creating a destination for socialising and a hub for activity.
Investment would focus on creating a more welcoming facade and improving the outdoor terrace space. It could hire out space to the community and provide a sports hub for the rental of equipment.
Parkfield House
Parkfield House and its grounds are said to present a key opportunity for development.
Its association with Limefield Park and Alkrington Woods provides green could provide an attractive setting for family housing. The development would also provide links between Manchester Old Road and Limefield Park.
Council bosses say the masterplan is an 'essential too' to guide development and build a case for investment.
More tha £5m of external funding hasbeen secured for various schemes to be carried out over the next five years. This is drawn from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement as well as cash from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).
Once adopted, the masterplan will also help secure further funding and investment such as Levelling Up funding for which the council is awaiting approval.
Further details will appear on the council's website, here: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/say/consultations
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Jilted trucker threw milk, juice and eggs around his ex-partner's home in bizarre rampage
- Neighbours slam 65ft 'monstrosity' towering over homes in Greater Manchester cul-de-sac
- Man, 34, arrested on suspicion of murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel
- Oasis star Bonehead announces cancer 'is gone' after scans and thanks staff at The Christie hospital
- Trams stopped as man arrested by dog handlers after 'fight' leaving two people hospitalised
