‘Laughing gas’ protest in row over new homes
A MAN dumped a bag of used laughing gas canisters in front of councillors in a bizarre show of support for a contested planning application.
The demonstration came during a discussion at Tameside’s planning committee over proposals to build 27 houses, 10 ‘live/work’ units and a retail unit on green belt land in the hamlet of Park Bridge, which sits between Ashton and Oldham.
More than 30 residents and three councillors objected, saying the scheme would ruin the site’s archaeological character, and the roads could not cope with extra traffic.
MP Angela Rayner had also objected to the proposals. She took issue with the density of the development, and argued it would be ‘unsustainable’ so far away from public transport, and would also be hazardous to highway safety.
The Medlock and Tame Valley Conservation Association had objected over issues including how demolition of the last remaining industrial building – known as Bottom Forge – would impact on heritage.
But a member of the public, Jonathan Lees, spoke in favour of the plans, saying: “As an actual resident of Park Bridge there is quite a few of us who are massively in favour of this development,” he said. Placing the carrier bag bulging with laughing gas canisters on the meeting table, he said: “I picked these up this morning where the entrance is. These are there every day. “The last thing I want is my kids playing in the park, and recreational drug use going on at the bottom, which is what happens every single day. “A building and residential area would mean more people, more street lighting, actually improve that area.” Another objector said that the incorporation of ‘live/work’ units was a ‘cynical attempt’ by the developer to lead the panel to believe there would not be an increase on the 26 homes originally approved in 2013. She said the nearest school was oversubscribed, and the council would have to pay to taxi some children to school as public transport was over a mile away. Agent Simon Plowman, speaking for the applicant Eldencross Ltd, said: “This is an increased of the quantum of development of the 2013 scheme, I don’t think that’s been hidden. “There is an opportunity to significantly improve the visual impact on the area.” David Thompson, principal planning officer, said that despite being in the green belt, the principle of the development was acceptable because development had taken place in the land in the past. A majority of councillors voted to approve the project, and the developer will be required to pay a contribution to improving the local infrastructure. Jonathan Lees