Seven Sisters towers would need 'significant sum' to be saved, Andy Burnham says

Saving the iconic Seven Sisters towers will cost a 'significant' sum, Andy Burnham has said as he welcomed the news that the social housing blocks could be saved. Four of the landmark high-rise buildings in Rochdale were set to be knocked down, but bosses are now looking at ways to avoid demolition.

Earlier this year, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing - which owns and manages the properties - launched a review of the College Bank project, six years after knocking down the flats was first floated. And yesterday (June 28), its interim chief executive said the organisation is now 'hopeful' the towers can be saved.

Mr Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester this morning (June 29) that he is 'pleased' to hear the news. However, the Greater Manchester mayor said modernising the tower blocks would cost a 'significant amount of money'.

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He said: "I'm really pleased to hear that people are celebrating in Rochdale because there's been a cloud hanging over the Seven Sisters for a long time and it still is to a degree because while I still do very much support what the new chief executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing is saying about wanting to keep them, there is a challenge with regard to funding."

Mr Burnham said he would work with the housing organisaiton and the local council to put together plans to bring the buildings up to modern standards and promised to help 'in any way we could'. But asked how much the work would cost, he said it is currently estimated to be in the 'double figure millions'.

He added: "Ever since I've been mayor, there's been that cloud hanging over the Seven Sisters. To have the [interim chief executive] say the right