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This newspaper is publishedmonthly by Investors in Publishing, Publishing House, 3 Bridgebank Industrial Estate, Taylor Street, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7PD Tel 01204 478812 EDITOR : Ged Henderson ged@hendersonnewsandmedia.com ADVERTISING Jayne Meadowcroft 01204 478812 or 07703 045189 jayne@independentnewspapers.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Teresa Bond 01204 478812 teresa@independentnewspapers.co.uk CONTACT US TO ADVERTISE IN THE INDEPENDENT CONTACT OUR TEAM ON 01204 478812 The regeneration gain! l Continued page 2 Planning permission has been granted for the Station Gateway develop- ment, which will involve the development of a public square to welcome visitors to the town and a park and ride facility. More than 200 new homes will also be built on the former retail park site as part of the transformation. More money will be spent rebuilding a build- ing at Hopwood Hall College’s Rochdale cam- pus – adding a fourth floor for higher educa- tion students. Announcing the fund- ing Alex Norris, local growth minister, said: “Growth is the govern- ment’s priority, and we want every person and community across the country to be part of this.” He added that the regeneration projects being funded in Rochdale, along with others in Old- ham, “will really put Greater Manchester at the forefront of our decade of national renewal”. And he went on: “We are tackling issues that really matter to the region, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, this tailored package will guarantee long-term, sustainable growth that means more money in people’s pockets as promised in our Plan for Change.” GREATER Manches- ter mayor Andy Burn- ham has demanded a ‘new deal’ for the North. Speaking at a press conference at the Con- vention of the North he highlighted transport and housing as two of the major areas that had to be addressed. He told journalists: “The big message I think that needs to come out of this convention is we need a new deal for the North of England, for this parliament and for the next decade. “We have had the false promises of Northern Powerhouse and Level- ling Up, the North can’t repeatedly be given false promises. We need may- ors and ministers work- ing together to get that new deal.” And he added: “If there is to be airport expansion in the south east and a new corridor between Oxford and Cambridge that is only justifiable if there is that new deal for the North to balance it. “We can’t carry on the model of economic growth that is only based around London and the south east.” Looking ahead to the government’s looming spending review, Labour PRIDE is returning to the borough of Roch- dale this summer. And organisers of the event, planned for Sunday June 22, are promising another spectacular parade and celebrations to raise awareness and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities. Last year the Espla- nade outside Rochdale Town Hall was filled with rainbow colours as everyone proudly waved their pride progress flags and banners. This year’s parade will start at 12.30pm and will again loop around the pedestrianised area on The Esplanade in front of the town hall. The celebrations will EMERGENCY work is set to be carried out at Hopwood Hall in Middleton as Rochdale council looks to forge its new path for the historic Grade II-listed building. The move follows a structural sur- vey that identified the need for urgent work to be carried out. It was commis- sioned by the council following the end of an exclusivity agreement with the Hopwood Foundation. It says it hopes that the emergency works will allow volunteers to return to Hopwood Hall, which dates from the 12th century, in thenear future and con- tinue their vital work. In addition, a council-funded feasibil- ity study, to determine possible future uses for the building, is nowunderway. Vital roof repairs, funded by the council and Historic England, are also moving forward, with a contractor set to be appointed. The repairs will start in April, once bat roosting season is over, and are expected to complete in the autumn. Burnham calls for ‘new deal’ Transport call: Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham mayor Mr Burnham said investment in major transport infrastructure projects in the North was vital if there was to be economic growth. Speaking at the press conference, alongside fellow mayors from across the North and Aidy Riggott, Lanca- shire County Council’s cabinet member for eco- nomic development and growth, Mr Burnham said without that that the region would remain at a disadvantage. Earlier in the day, talking on the main stage of the conference, being held at the Uni- versity of Central Lan- cashire, he highlighted a public accounts commit- tee report on the HS2 rail project. The northern leg of that high-speed rail link was scrapped by the previous Conserv- ative government amid spiralling costs. Mr Burnham said the report had confirmed that the West Coast mainline would reach its capacity in the second half of the 2030s, along- side a M6 motorway that would also be “full”. He repeated his call for a new rail line to connect the North West to the West Midlands and said if that did not happen HS2 would be a “monu- ment to inequality.” Turning towards hous- ing, he called for a build- ing programme across the North to deliver low carbon council houses and social housing, describing it as a “huge opportunity” to create jobs and skills. The North will be the first part of England to be fully cov- ered by devolution follow- ing recent government announcements, and the Northern mayors and leaders came together to highlight how they will work together with their devolved powers to drive economic growth and improve the lives of people across the region. Liverpool city region mayor Steve Rotheram told the press conference: “Though we speak with different accents we all speak with one voice.” Councillor Riggott said Lancashire’s new Com- bined County Authority marked a “step change” in the county’s devolution journey. He also high- lighted its newly pub- lished growth plan, which was launched at the conference and is being presented for consultation. He said: “The growth plan is a real reminder how important our econ- omy is, it is one of the big- gest in the North, and the opportunities we have.” Creating a sense of Pride Flashback: The 2024 Pride Parade (Photo credit: Rochdale Council) continue in the build- ing’s Great Hall where everyone can enjoy refreshments, music and entertainment and meet a variety of stall holders. The event will close at 4pm. Daalat Ali, joint dep- uty leader of Rochdale Council, and cabinet member for public health and wellbeing, said: “This year will build on the success of last year making our 2025 cele- brations another year to remember. “There are so many enthusiastic people in the borough of Rochdale committed to celebrat- ing and supporting our LGBTQ+ community. “Pride is a time when LGBTQ+ communities come together and reflect on how far we’ve come, as well as acknowledge how much there is still to do.” Hall gets set for emergency work