Tributes paid after death of former mayor who led campaign to save town’s landmark tower blocks

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Tributes have been paid to Robin Parker the former Rochdale Mayor who went on to spearhead the campaign against plans to flatten the town’s landmark Seven Sisters tower blocks.

Robin, who lived at the College Bank flats himself, passed away aged 78 after a heart condition deteriorated recently.The death of the retired Labour councillor turned tenacious campaigner has been met with sadness by his family, friends and old political allies.

It comes after the Seven Sisters campaign was recently given fresh hope - with plans to flatten four of the blocks shelved and put under review by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing,His long-term partner Ann Jones said she was ‘desperately sorry’ he would not be around to see the fruits of the campaign that he began six years ago.

Robin had three spells as a councillor, representing Central and Falinge ward, and West Middleton ward.READ MORE: Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link. As a campaigner he made a passionate speech to a full council meeting in July 2017 - handing in a petition to save the famous high rises - met with applause from members across the political spectrum with the campaign going on to attract high profile media attention.His close ally Mark Slater, chair of the College Bank Support Group, spoke of his ‘great sadness’ over his passing, in a touching tribute.