Homes plan for Soccer Village site
DOZENS of homes could be built on a five-a-side football complex.
The Soccer Village, on Wildhouse Lane, near Milnrow, could be demolished under the plans which have been unveiled by developer Redrow Homes.
A total of 59 two, three and four bed houses are being planned for the seven acre site.
No planning application has been submitted yet, but Redrow have confirmed the proposals have been drawn up.
Leaflets outlining the plans have also been posted to homes in the surrounding area.
Robin Buckley, head of planning for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), said: “What we are proposing is in-keeping with the area and we feel would enhance the appearance of this brownfield site.
“Local residents have been consulted via a leaflet drop and, following responses, we hope to submit a detailed planning application to Rochdale this September or October.
“If plans are approved we could be on site as early as spring 2018.”
The developer says the new estates will ‘incorporate a substantial area of open space adjacent to Birchinley Manor and a large pond at the entrance’.
But Coun Andy Kelly says that will not make up for the loss of vital sporting facilities and the extra strain on the area’s already creaking infrastructure.
He said: “It’s difficult because the Soccer Village is a private business, but if this does go ahead it will be a sporting facility that is lost and there is a general concern that we are not providing enough sporting facilities, not just in Milnrow and Newhey but in the Pennines as a whole, for young people.
“And if this does go ahead are we going to get the Section 106 money for infrastructure improvements?
“In Milnrow and Newhey we have 17th Century roads dealing with 21st Century traffic.
“As soon as there is a problem on the M62 it’s just gridlocked.
“And as a principle I have concerns about developing on the greenbelt and greenfield, as some of this site surely must be, even once the Soccer Village has been demolished. It’s not about being a NIMBY. If someone were to come forward and develop Dale Mill in the centre of Milnrow I would snap their hand off.
“That is the kind of brownfield site we should be looking to develop and perhaps we should be offering encouragement to developers to take on these sites.”
The Soccer Village was contacted for a comment.
Residents have until September 6, to respond to the consultation leaflet prior to Redrow finalising its planning application.