Working with project manager, MOArchitecture has been appointed to explore site options for the relocation of Rochdale Borough Council’s depot facilities. The work involves developing a ‘template’ depot accommodation requirement and layout and applying this critically to a long-list of sites in order to identify a preferred short-list. The new depot will allow more effective accommodation of office-based staff and create a safer, more efficient operations area. Site selection will also be influenced by the Local Spatial Plan and borough-wide issues around regeneration and targeting economic growth through development. Relocation of the facilities to a new site will allow existing properties to be redeveloped, with MOArchitecture preparing masterplans for new residential schemes. The masterplans take into account the local market conditions and demand for housing types, and is part of a review of options for the overall approach to procurement and development model options. The feasibility options for relocation and the masterplans for the existing site will be reviewed and costed and the project progressed with the selected site.