Ex-deaf institute may become flats
ABUILDING that has stood in Rochdale town centre for over 100 years could be converted into residential apartments, thanks to funding from a heritage scheme.
An application has been submitted for the grade IIlisted former Deaf and Dumb Institute, on Church Lane, that would see it transformed into six flats.
In June, the Observer reported the property was one of a dozen in Lower Drake Street and South Parade being given the chance to use a dedicated cash pot of nearly £800,000 to renovate.
Applicant Talat Mahmood, of Church Lane (Rochdale) Developments Ltd, hopes to bring the building, built in 1907 as a centre for social recreation, worship and training for employment, back use.
Planning documents outline the significance of the building within the town’s history, highlighting the critical rehabilitation role it played after WWI when wounded deaf soldiers were taught how to lip read at the Institute.
They added: “The building into forms an integral part of the Rochdale Town Centre Conservation area and is considered to be of high architectural value with a character that contributes to the identity of Rochdale.
“The site is located within the town centre and by bringing the building back into meaningful use it will enhance the offer of accommodation available within Rochdale and support local services and the community.”
The proposals claim to be seen as a ‘light touch’ in terms of conversion, hoping to become three onebedroom and three twobedroom apartments.
Documents submitted to the council outline the developer’s objectives as bringing a currently empty Heritage Asset back into meaningful use, proposing a high quality design to make a positive contribution to the local environment and creating additional dwellings to help Rochdale’s housing needs.
A structural report found that the property is in generally sound condition but that it does show signs of damp ingress and neglect.
The funding, from Historic England and the council, offers owners the opportunity to claim up to 85 per cent of external improvement costs, including the reinstatement of period features and repairs to roofs and walls.
The 12-month scheme is part of the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project, which aims to regenerate historically important areas to boost economic growth one of just 18 across the country.