Flats to be demolished around remaining resident

Six blocks of flats will be demolished around a resident who has said he will not move out.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) wants to regenerate the Lower Falinge estate and has determined bulldozing the blocks is the only affordable option.

Now plans for demolition of the Lower Falinge estate, named the most deprived area in England for the fifth successive year in 2013, have been approved.

Because one resident, who gave his name as Andy, is refusing to move, the Zedburgh block is not among the six set to be knocked down.

The campaigner said he had been offered multiple different housing options by RBH, but none of them has lived up to what he currently has.

"Me and my partner don't work because we're both autistic and find it very difficult.

"For us these flats are ideal, because we have ground floor access and my partner has mobility issues.

"We get to have a one-bed flat, there are no communal areas, we can access them straight away. We like the layout of these."

He said the couple feel "a constant pressure to move out" and that it was taking a toll on their mental health.

"One of the main reasons we like it here specifically is because of the grassy areas and it's away from the road noise," he said.

"If there is some mythical place that is better we would've found it by now. Everything I want and need is here."

The maisonette blocks destined for the wrecking ball include Ollerton, Newstead, Romsey, Quinton, Ullesthorpe, and Vaynor.

Millions of pounds has already been invested into the area, with new housing blocks already built in the estate.

RBH said it intended to continue the regeneration once the six blocks were gone.

The site off Spotland Road would be left as vacant grassland until RBH maked a decision on the next stage of its redevelopment plans.

In a letter sent to residents in March, RBH said: "We aim to complete the demolition of the six empty blocks and the commercial buildings within the next 12 months and will be seeking planning permission in the coming weeks."

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